As a parent, it might not be easy to guide your child through their IBDP academic path and fully understand the curriculum. Knowing that students must successfully complete the core requirements, study six topics regularly, and receive a minimum overall score of 24 (with a minimum of 12 points in the Higher Levels) out of a potential 45 points to graduate from the demanding two-year program can be a bit daunting for you, let alone your child. So if you’re a parent who would like to ensure that their children undergo a successful experience through the IB Diploma Programme, here are some ways you can step in and serve as a support system.

1. Foster their time management skills: 

To combine their academic burden and extracurricular activities—which are both rigorous parts of the IBDP—students must learn to efficiently manage their time. To prevent procrastination and exhaustion, encourage your child to make a study timetable and prioritize their duties. The key here is to introduce them to the tools that can motivate them to complete their duties independently instead of badgering them with reminders to do so. The “Calendar” app is a suggested easy resource to use for scheduling study times, due dates, and other obligations. If you’re feeling a little more adventurous, give Todoist, TickTick or ClickUp a shot!

2. Support their interests: 

Students can choose their courses for the IBDP, and they should make choices based on their interests and future job aspirations. Your child should be supported in joining extracurricular activities that match their academic education and encouraged to explore their hobbies. For instance, if your child acquires an affinity for Literature and is invested in it academically in the program, one way to support this interest is through encouraging him or her to join a book club or even host one themselves where they can invite their peers over and discuss a selected piece of literature together.

3. Maintain an active presence: 

It’s vital to continue to be involved in your child’s life, even if they’re not so young anymore. Participate in parent-teacher conferences, keep up with your child’s assignments, and communicate with teachers to stay active in your child’s academic development. You will be better able to assist your child and help them achieve by knowing their strengths and shortcomings. 

Generally, spending 2-4 hours a day with your children is an ideal range to maintain a healthy bond with them (Family Academy, 2019). Given that they are IBDP students and probably won’t have an abundance of spare time on their hands on weekdays, you can spend these few hours eating meals together and taking walks to catch up on not just their academic life but their social life as well. At the weekend, you can choose a more engaging activity to rekindle their energy like visiting a few relatives in town or going to the movies.

4. Endorse critical thinking: 

The IB Diploma curriculum places a strong emphasis on critical thinking, and students are encouraged to critically evaluate information and pose probing questions. Engage in stimulating conversations with your children to help them learn to think critically and hone their analytical abilities. For example, you may choose a contentious subject and instigate a lively discussion. 

Disclaimer: There are instances when sparking these conversations will only lead to an argument. Thus, it’s crucial to pick the right moment to start these conversations so that your son/daughter is also able to critically think without an excessive emotional response.

5. Honor their successes: 

The IBDP is difficult, and your child will encounter several challenges along the way. No matter how tiny, acknowledge their accomplishments and motivate them to keep going when things become tough.

6. Delve into the program:

Let’s say that you are unaware of what your child is experiencing at their foreign or international school or are unaware of the importance of the many tasks they have to complete weekly. It is almost impossible for you to provide any insightful criticism or guidance in a given situation. Consequently, it is advisable to spend some time familiarizing yourself with the fundamentals of the IB curriculum so that you can better understand what your child is going through. The internet’s accessibility has led to a proliferation of blog entries and publications that outline the IBDP’s process for parents.

7. Examine the possibility of seeking external help

Of course, there will be times when other obligations prevent you from always being there for your child. As an alternative, an experienced IB tutor can assist your child with navigating challenging topics, pointing out their trouble areas, and giving them pertinent advice as they are the subject matter experts in their respective subjects. In addition to providing outstanding instruction and mentoring, IB tutors may share advice on how to handle IB assignments and tests, manage stress, and more. Lucky for you, we have online tutors who can provide your son or daughter with personalized sessions! Click here to book an info session.

Ultimately, the IBDP offers a demanding yet worthwhile academic experience for pupils. By promoting time management, fostering their hobbies, remaining connected, fostering critical thinking, recognizing their accomplishments, becoming familiar with the program and exploring the notion of seeking a tutor, you may serve as your child’s backbone and facilitate their endeavor.