Skip to main content

Navigating Education: A Parent’s Guide to International Schools

 

Image: Freepik 

Whether you have decided to relocate to another country or admire the education standards of a certain world region, there are many reasons why you  may choose an international school as one of the stepping stones in your kids’ educational journey.

While international schools can offer many  benefits, navigating the different stages of choosing the best school, signing up, and supporting your child through their studies isn’t always straightforward. In this quick-start guide, we’ll cover a few tips that can make the journey ahead easier and more enjoyable. 

Choosing the Right International School

When it comes to selecting an international school, you’ll need to consider a wide range of factors, including curriculum, the philosophy of the school, and extracurricular activities. Other variables include cost, location, reputation, and education standards. 

When getting started, research schools that align with your educational values and your child’s learning style. Ideally, consider schools that have internationally-recognized programs, such as the ones offered at KIS. To shortlist candidates, consider visiting schools, talking to other expat parents, and assessing the school’s community to make an informed decision.

Understanding International Education Programs

When choosing a school for your little ones, make sure that your chosen institution offers curricula that are valid worldwide, including IB, British, or American systems. Becoming familiar with these programs helps you better support your child and choose a school that aligns with your family’s goals. 

Remember, each curriculum has unique strengths, so learn about the school’s focus, assessment methods, and long-term benefits to find the best fit for your child!

Supporting Language Development

If you are an expat family looking to remain abroad, whether permanently or temporarily, language learning is non-negotiable. Of course, you and your little ones will need to learn the local language, but you should also consider taking courses to understand some of the most spoken languages worldwide, including English, Spanish, Mandarin Chinese, and Arabic. 

Encourage your child to engage with language apps, watch educational videos, and participate in language exchange programs. Boosting language skills at home and staying in touch with teachers can help your kid become more confident and proficient!

Making Friends in a New School

Moving to a new school can be socially daunting–and, it can be even more so for your little ones! So, it is important to help your children become more social and make friends! 

To get started, encourage your child to join clubs or sports teams to meet other kids with similar interests. Additionally, you should consider attending school events and organizing playdates at home, so that you can help your child build friendships. Remember: being a supportive presence can make this transition smoother!

Staying Involved 

If your family often travels or lives far from your child's school, staying connected is essential! Fortunately, today, there’s more than one option for you to stay involved! For example, you can utilize technology for virtual meetings with teachers and attending online school events. You should also regularly check in with your child about their school experience, offering guidance and support regardless of the fact that you are apart. And, of course, plan for travels to reunite regularly!


Comments

Popular posts from this blog

"The Reading Game" Review and Giveaway

Description: The first book in  The Reading Game  learn-to-read series tells the story of a skunk without a stripe who is rejected by the other skunks but finds acceptance among some cats and becomes their defender.  It’s told in rhyme, is beautifully illustrated, and is 32 pages long.  It will be the first book the student reads, and there are five more to follow in this groundbreaking learn to read program. Each of The Reading Game's six stories is told using just thirty new words.  These are broken down into six sets of five words.  The student learns to read each set of five words by playing a simple word matching game.  Frequent exposure through play hard wires these words into long-term memory.  Rote learning is transformed into a fast-paced game with a winner every few seconds. After completing Skunk, Game 1, the student has learned five words (can, cat, is, me, not).  Playing Game 2 adds an additional five w...

Common Mistakes Made When Writing a Will

  Writing a will should, by all means, be a simple thing. You want to make sure that your assets are being left to your loved ones and that your final wishes are being fulfilled. Usually, they are rather straightforward, but that doesn’t mean that they are entirely foolproof. Here, we’re going to look at some common issues that can lead to disputes or delays in carrying out your will. Image - CC0 License Not Having It Witnessed Correctly One of the most common mistakes when writing a will is not having it witnessed correctly. Wills generally require the signatures of at least two witnesses who are not beneficiaries or spouses of beneficiaries. If the will is not witnessed in accordance with legal requirements, it may be declared invalid, meaning your estate would be distributed according to intestacy laws, which may not align with your wishes. It’s important to follow the witnessing procedures exactly as outlined in your jurisdiction to ensure the will is legally enforceable. Chan...

Challenger Sports Summer Camp

  Families and players have trusted Challenger Camps for over 30 years as North America's largest soccer camp provider. We provide week-long summer camp experiences for kids of all ages and ability levels, all over North America. Our tried and tested curriculum is implemented by our professionally trained team of international coaches to deliver a week of education, fun and development. We offer different camp models to suit the needs of the individual player and family. The #1 Soccer Camp in North America! Sign-up early to save up to $40 with Early Bird Pricing Enter code USFAMILY to get 5% off as well! You will receive a camp jersey, a soccer ball, FREE virtual training and a Camp Certificate! #ChallengerSports #EarlyBirdOffer https://challengersports.com/soccer-camps/ Titus has done this camp several times!   HE loves soccer!  Hoping to get him signed up for another week before going back to school.