Rested and ready to nail NAPLAN with these sleep tips from Harold

Hi everyone,

It’s me, Healthy Harold, here to send you a big giraffe-sized cheer as you get ready for your NAPLAN assessments, which are running between 12-24 March.

I know you’ll be giving your best effort, and that’s all anyone can ask for. Remember, these tests are just one way to see what you know – they don’t measure how kind, creative, or awesome you are.

Let’s help you to get ready the Healthy Harold way. A healthy body helps you have a healthy mind.

Here are some tips to help you prepare:

Get plenty of sleep – Your brain needs rest to think clearly. Try to get a good night’s sleep before each test.

Eat a healthy breakfast – Food is fuel. Choose a breakfast with energy-boosting foods like whole grains, fruit and protein.

Stay hydrated – Water helps your brain stay focused. Keep sipping water throughout the day.

Move your body – A little exercise before your test, like stretching or a short walk, can help you feel calm and ready to go.

There are also a few things you can do before the test if you’re feeling a bit nervous:

Take deep breaths – Breathe in for four seconds, hold for four and breathe out for four. This practice helps calm your nerves.

Think positive thoughts – Remind yourself, “I can do this!” and “I’ll try my best!”

Talk to someone – If you’re feeling nervous, chat with a teacher, family member, or friend. You’re not alone.

For some students, tests can feel like they are going forever but others may feel like time is passing very quickly – everyone is different.

DURING THE TEST, REMEMBER TO:

• Read each question carefully – Take your time and make sure you understand what’s being asked.
• Give every question a go – If a question seems tricky, skip it and come back to it later if you have time.
• Use strategies – For tricky words, try breaking them into smaller parts. For maths, show your working out.
• Take brain breaks – If your mind feels tired, take a slow, deep breath
• Stretch – wiggle your fingers and roll your wrists before you start writing or typing again.
• After each test, it’s important to remember that the brain is a muscle that has just done a mental workout. You need to calm the brain, just like cooling down the body after exercise.
• Celebrate your effort – You did it! No matter how you feel about your answers, be proud that you gave it your best shot.
• Do something fun – Play outside, read a book, or do an activity you enjoy to relax your mind.
• Talk about your feelings – If you’re worried about how you did, chat with a trusted grown-up. They’ll remind you that one test doesn’t define you!

Big feelings like nervousness, worry, or stress are totally normal. If you ever feel overwhelmed, remember that you are not alone and that you have a team of people who care about you – parents, family members, teachers, coaches, and friends. They’re always happy to listen and help.

You are smart, strong, and capable. These tests are just a small part of your learning journey, and no matter what, you are already amazing. So, get plenty of sleep, have a healthy breakfast, take a deep breath and just do your best. I want you to know that I’m cheering you on every step of the way.

Before you go, my friend Jayki wants to let you know all about how important a good night sleep is.

Rest up everyone. You’ve got this!

Healthy Harold

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