Preparing Your Child for Success at an International School: 6 Tips for Parents

One of the most beautiful and fulfilling aspects of becoming a parent is the fact that we play a big role in ensuring a bright and promising future for our children. We get to dictate how our child’s life will evolve by carefully planning everything and applying foresight. Ensuring our child’s success becomes the centre of our lives. Enrolling your child in an international school is one thing. But making sure that your child thrives and flourishes while enrolled is another. Similar to but an entirely different banana. Preparing does not end when you finally know the factors to consider when choosing an international school.

Allow us to help you zone in on the latter. This post collected effective tips from experienced parents. We will give you valuable tips on how to prepare your child for success in an international school. Read on, learn, and parent away!

Boost your child’s language skills.

Most, if not almost all, international schools use English as the language of instruction. This is why if you want to ensure your child’s success, you should make it a point that your child understands English. Your child must be capable to think and communicate in English if you want your child to excel in an international school. This does not have to be strenuous as you can train your child every day by simply starting conversations and enjoying different forms of interaction and play.

Actionable tips:

Read books to your child regularly. The book should be written in the target language.
Use interactive learning apps or online resources.
Converse with your child using the target language.

Boost your child’s independence.

An independent child is a successful child. You should ensure that your child knows how to navigate his way around his academics without feeling overwhelmed and helpless. You can do this by introducing the concept of independence. An independent child is proactive and empowered. For your child to excel, your child must fully know and understand that he or she is capable and there is nothing in the world that he or she cannot learn. International schools have rigorous programs and you must ensure that your child conquers all tasks by introducing ways to create a routine.

Actionable tips:

Introduce the concept of goals and priorities
Introduce the concept of time management
Encourage your child to use a study schedule

Introduce cultural awareness in your child’s life.

Being enrolled in an international school would have your child exposed to people from different backgrounds and cultures. This can be a shock to your child and add a sense of tension if the concept of diversity is not introduced early on. Hence, it’s important for you to introduce the concept of cultural awareness in your child’s life as early as possible. You can do this by curating the book, movies, and activities that your child enjoys. Promote an open-minded attitude towards differences, diversity, and intercultural understanding. This will ensure that your child feels comfortable and at ease at all times.

Actionable tips:

Visit museums and cultural festivals with your child
Encourage your child to be friends with peers from different cultures and backgrounds
Introduce diverse cuisines in family meals. Ensure that you discuss the dishes and their cultural significance.

Give space to extracurricular activities.

International schools give students a variety of options for extracurricular activities. Learning is not limited to the four corners of the classroom. This is why it is essential that you make it easy for your child to participate in all such activities. Develop a sense of enjoyment in exploration and adventure. Make it easy for your child to love trying out different activities. Introduce your child to different arts, sports, interests, and talents. Enjoy witnessing the development of your child’s wonder.

Actionable tips:

Take time to observe the activities that your child enjoys doing
Volunteer together on local community initiatives
Introduce the concept of teamwork.

Have a global perspective.

Enrollment in an international school will have your child exposed to global issues and narratives. To make it easy for your child to assimilate into such a mental space, it is best if you could introduce global perspectives as early as possible. This is very easy as you can do this by simply engaging in conversations about global topics and challenges. You should make your child fully understand how we are a global community and how all are interconnected. Make your child see the bigger picture. Always discuss topics with a global perspective in mind.

Actionable tips:

Watch international news together
Encourage critical thinking in conversations
Encourage your child to do his or her own research on topics or countries that interest him

Communicate with your child’s teachers.

It is imperative that you have a solid line of communication with the people who guide and instruct your child outside of your home. This will ensure that you get to fully witness the growth and development of your child by seamlessly collaborating with mentors and experts in the field. Always attend school events and be in the know with school policies. Always ask for updates on your child’s activities and academic progress. Be as hands-on as possible. Leave no stone unturned. You have absolutely nothing to lose as the future of your child is on the line. Do everything you possibly can to be involved.

Actionable tips: