Supporting IB Students at Home: A Guide for Parents
While the IB’s curriculum may provide significant advantages, IB students often experience struggles and stress when enrolling in the programme.
As parents, it is natural to want to support your child in such difficult academic settings. The good news is that your support can truly make a significant difference.
This article provides practical tips to best support your IB student at home. Particularly, to empower your child as they thrive in the world of IB education at BINUS SCHOOL Simprug. Let’s explore!
Understand the IB Curriculum
Before anything else, parents must demonstrate a willingness to be involved in their IB student’s education by understanding the IB curriculum.
As parents, you need to familiarize yourself with its structure and to comprehend the unique test methods used in the programme. It may include exams and other crucial assessments like coursework, oral presentations, and projects.
Since each subject in the curriculum has many prerequisites, which can be confusing, you can ask for help from school counsellors or access Everything You Need to Know About the IB Programme and College Admissions to comprehend a thorough understanding of the programme.
Create a Conducive Study Environment
For effective home study, IB students need an appropriate and comfortable study space. Parents should ensure their child has a quiet, cozy, bright space with minimum distraction for studying. Keeping the study space neat and well-organised also helps prevent confusion.
Other family members need to be informed about students’ study schedules to minimize interruptions.
Moreover, encourage your child to turn off unimportant notifications from their phone or computer. It will help them stay focused during study sessions and obtain mental clarity.
Encourage Time Management and Independent Learning
One effective way to guide your child during home study is by setting realistic academic goals. Do not overburden them and try to break down large tasks into manageable works. Prioritizing assignments based on deadlines can also help them reduce stress and stay organized.
Furthermore, IB parents should be available to discuss difficult tasks. Guiding their child in self-reflection is also essential to assess their progress and identify which areas that require improvement.
However, it’s important to allow space for IB students to work through challenges of their learning before seeking help. In other words, regularly checking in is helpful, but make sure not to hover, so they can be independent in their tasks.
Foster Emotional Resilience and a Growth Mindset
In addition to academic support, IB students also need emotional support from their parents when facing challenges and setbacks.
Parents can foster emotional resilience by framing setbacks as opportunities for growth rather than failures. Also, reminding them of the importance of effort rather than just results can help them build a growth mindset.
Most importantly, give them reassurance and encouragement by acknowledging their struggles. It can help IB students to develop mental strength and a growth mindset to manage all the hurdles and thrive excellently in IB programmes.
Engage in CAS Activities Together
CAS, or Creativity, Activity, and Service, is a fundamental aspect of the IB’s Diploma Programme. Through this program, students will engage in a variety of physical, creative, and community service activities.
Completing these activities is a compulsory requirement to demonstrate well-rounded development beyond academics. In such cases, parents can play an essential role in assisting students to engage in these activities.
First off, you can help by researching volunteer opportunities or encouraging IB students to explore different CAS opportunities aligned with their interests. To promote a sense of shared experience, it can also be a good idea for parents to take part in certain activities together.
This kind of involvement will strengthen the bond between parent and child. Also, it can ensure students stay motivated and engaged in rewarding experiences.
Leverage School Resources
There are several ways that parents can perform to leverage school resources for their children. It includes attending parent-teacher meetings to understand the progress and challenges they may be facing.
When students need academic guidance, advice about college and career, or even mental health support, parents should encourage them to ask counselors, teachers, or academic advisers for assistance.
Additionally, to access study materials, parents can also help their children with navigating the school’s online platforms.
Overall, it becomes the parents’ task to ensure their children have the resources and support they need by promoting a proactive approach to using school resources.
Explore the Excellency of IB Programmes with BINUS SCHOOL Simprug!
Like students in other disciplines or programmes, IB students may struggle with their coursework. But, knowing that they have parents who are ready to help will give them a more sense of ease.
Therefore, it is important for parents to be involved in their children’s education, so they don’t feel isolated throughout demanding academic periods.
The tips and strategies above are expected to help students and parents collaborate in achieving success while studying at home.
Find out how IB programmes at BINUS SCHOOL Simprug can help your child thrive academically and globally. Learn more now!
References:
https://tessais.org/ib-pyp-parents-supporting-children/
https://www.make-sensei.com/5-tips-for-supporting-ib-students-as-a-parent/
https://sev7n.co.in/easy-tips-for-ib-students-to-study-at-home-by-ib-tutor/
