The International Baccalaureate programme is a globally accepted curriculum that follows a revered educational framework for children aged three to nineteen. Most IB Singapore schools have an unmatched, educationally superior ecosystem owing to brilliant faculty and top-class, technologically advanced facilities. This perfect blend of academics and extracurricular activities enables IB Singapore students to master holistic growth and development.
There are many benefits of being an IB Singapore student, such as getting better prepared for university and college, being exposed to various cultures and backgrounds, overall development, and gaining lifelong skills like critical thinking, independent decision-making, tolerance, and problem-solving. But some may feel that the sg secondary school are tough to crack because of the exhaustive syllabus, high volume of assignments and research that require dedication and proper time management to deliver performance.
Undoubtedly, the IB curriculum could be more rigorous and challenging for students because it comprises application-based and practical classes, which are more predominant in this course than in other curriculums. IB programs are intended to test the limit to which students can expand their thinking and stretch their knowledge; rather than focusing on the speed of task completion.
As a parent, you can help your kids and better prepare them for IB school by guiding, motivating and encouraging them. Here is what you can do:
1. Familiarise yourself with IB
The last thing your child needs if they are following an IB program is to explain the acronyms and subjects of the curriculum to you. If your kid is stressing over EE or IA, you should know what is going on at their school and understand their various assignments. Take time to get familiar with the IB programme basics so you can offer valuable advice and feedback and empathise with your child when necessary. With the internet at your disposal, you will find more than enough constructive articles and blogs breaking down the concept of IB and its journey for you.
2. Recognise the effort required in IB
After getting familiar with the IB program, recognising the inherent difficulties will happen automatically. It will prevent you from putting additional pressure on your children because you will know that their school and peers are demanding enough. The IB diploma is undoubtedly one of the most highly rewarding, but there is no denying that it is also exhaustive and complex. Do not pressurise your child with unrealistic expectations, such as getting a seven in all subjects. Acknowledge that passing the test is an academic success. The focus should be on understanding a good or average score for a particular subject and helping your child attain that.
3. Help your child create a Study Schedule
An IB programme is comprehensive and challenging, requiring students to manage time and stay organised throughout their academic life. If you help them stay organised, they can better assess materials, have clarity about their study schedule and what needs to be studied next, effectively meet their deadlines and spend less time procrastinating.
Create an effective study schedule for your child by allocating sufficient preparation time for each subject. Remember that not all subjects require the same preparation – speak with your child about the subjects they find difficult, be it for understanding or content internalisation.
4. Create an environment conducive to studying
Not only should you help them assess the subjects’ difficulty and understanding level, but you also help them organise their study area so that they are not distracted, and everything they need is accessible. Arrange everything around them neatly and ensure they can view their daily goals. Here are a few things you can do:
- Hang a clock where it is visible to them
- Place a wall planner close to their study desk
- Keep items like stationery, dictionary, water etc., accessible
- Ensure that they clean their study area, remove other subject notes and books, and keep the area clutter-free
- Keep distractions such as the mobile phone, music players and television away
5. Provide extra assistance with IB Tuition
At times your child may require that extra assistance – it could be because the teaching speed is too fast or their learning is not at the same pace as the rest of the class. Recognise that and enrol them for IB tuitions. It will provide them with the required customised attention, which may not otherwise be possible in a packed classroom. Besides, one-on-one tutoring allows the tutor to follow the pace at which your child is most comfortable learning, thereby ensuring a deeper and more precise understanding of the subject.
6. Emphasise Exam Groundwork
One cannot prepare for IB exams overnight. The IB Singapore curriculum follows short answer items and covers essays requiring students to leverage the learning they have gathered throughout the year. Thus, cramming content at the last minute is not advisable.
Ask your kids to follow these tips to best prepare for IB exams:
- Dedicate some time daily to study and revise what has been taught at school
- Start studying rigorously for the exams at least ten weeks before they are scheduled.
- Get familiarised with the exam pattern and give a lot of mock exams like the past year’s test papers within the stipulated time.