Every IB programme builds the same five skill areas. You don't need an IB school to practise them. Ten minutes at the kitchen table is enough to start.
The IB groups the skills behind good learning into five areas: thinking, communication, social, self-management and research. It calls them "approaches to learning", and all four IB programmes use them, from age 3 to 19. Read the IB's own guide.
The IB names the five areas. The home ideas below are mine, not IB material. Pick one skill a week and try one idea.
Question ideas, solve problems and come up with new ones.
You'll notice: your child starts giving reasons without being asked.
Five critical-thinking routinesGet a message across clearly, and understand other people's.
You'll notice: shorter, clearer explanations, with fewer "and then… and then".
Set goals, manage time and tasks, and stay steady when things get hard.
You'll notice: fewer last-minute surprises on a school night.
Map your child's learning weekFind information, judge whether it's reliable, and use it honestly.
You'll notice: your child asks "where did that come from?" on their own.
The skills serve a bigger goal. The IB's learner profile describes ten traits it wants every IB student to grow. See the learner profile on the IB's site.
The School Finder shows which schools offer the IB Diploma, with a link to each school's entry on the IB's register.
Norman Go is independent and not connected to, or endorsed by, the International Baccalaureate Organization. General ideas, not educational advice.
Social
Work with others, and respect views and cultures that differ from yours.
Try this at home
You'll notice: "what do you think?" comes up more in your child's plans.