IB Learner Profile

INQUIRERS: They develop their natural curiosity. They acquire the skills necessary to conduct inquiry and research and show independence in learning. They actively enjoy learning and this love of learning will be sustained throughout their lives.

How can parents help at home?
Promote perseverance, inventiveness and data collection skills: don't help too soon - let your child try to figure out problems on their own. Honor their questions but say "that is a great question - I wonder too. Where can we find out more about that? What would we do to show our learning?"

COMMUNICATORS: They understand and express ideas and information confidently and creatively in more than one language and in a variety of modes of communication. They work effectively and willingly in collaboration with others.

How can parents help at home?​
​Encourage your child to stay in touch with relatives and friends who live in other locations by writing letters, using the phone or sending email. When working on homework, encourage your child to explain his/her answer to you orally or by drawing a picture. Work with your child to improve his/her listening skills. Being a good listener is an important part of communicating with others.

KNOWLEDGEABLE: They explore concepts, ideas and issues that have local and global significance. In doing so, they acquire in-depth knowledge and develop understanding across a broad and balanced range of disciplines.

How can parents help at home?
Play age-appropriate trivia games. Read to your child at a reading level a bit higher than their reading level, from a broad range of topics. Visit the local museums, zoos, parks, etc. Check out foreign language instructional materials from the library and learn some words together.

BALANCED: They understand the importance of intellectual, physical, and emotional balance to achieve personal well-being for themselves and others.

How can parents help at home?
Encourage your child to participate in a wide variety of structured activities. Discuss healthy choices with your child and teach them the food groups and what a balanced meal is made up of. Emphasize the importance of exercise and staying active.

RISK-TAKERS: They approach unfamiliar situations and uncertainty with courage and forethought, and have the independence of spirit to explore new roles, ideas and strategies. They are brave and articulate in defending their beliefs.

How can parents help at home?
When your child is feeling uneasy about trying something new, encourage them to attempt it and then reflect on the experience: What was hard? What was easy? How did they work to do it? What could they try next time? Explain the difference between being a risk-taker by trying new things and doing dangerous things. You can use the word courageous in your conversations.

PRINCIPLED: They act with integrity and honesty, with a strong sense of fairness, justice and respect for the dignity of the individual, groups and communities. They take responsibility for their own actions and the consequences that accompany them.

How can parents help at home?
Involve your child in deciding on the rules for a game or activity and then ensure that they stick to the ones that have been decided upon. Encourage your child to play games that involve teams. Discuss with your child the qualities of a team player. When your child wins a game insist that he or she is a well-mannered winner. They might thank their opponent or shake hands with them if it's appropriate. When playing a game, don't change the rules to let your child win. Being a gracious loser is just as important as being a good winner.

OPEN-MINDED: They understand and appreciate their own cultures and personal histories, and are open to the perspectives, values and traditions of other individuals and communities. They are accustomed to seeking and evaluating a range of points of view, and are willing to grow from the experience.

How can parents help at home?
Encourage your child to try out new things, new foods, new games and new traditions. Expose your child to different festivals, celebrations and traditions and be sure to present them in a non-judgmental way. Encourage your child to really listen to others when they speak. Read and Discuss novels, movies and documentaries.

REFLECTIVE: They give thoughtful consideration to their own learning and experience. They are able to assess and understand their strengths and limitations in order to support their learning and personal development.

How can parents help at home?
After an experience ask your child what went well, what he/she liked the most during that experience, what the strong points were. (2) Then, ask him/her to talk or write about the weak points, what went wrong and why. (3) Ask him/her to write how he/she felt before, during and after the experience. (4) Finally, ask your child to think of what will allow him/her to perform better next time. What new strategies he/she needs to adopt, what new learning he/she needs etc.

CARING: They show empathy, compassion and respect towards the needs and feelings of others. They have a personal commitment to service, and act to make a positive difference to the lives of others and to the environment.

How can parents help at home?
Model caring behavior for your child. Point out to your child when you have noticed them helping others without being asked, using kind words, thinking of others, and doing nice things for others &/or the environment. After reading a book consider how the different characters felt and their individual actions. Was someone caring? How do you know?

THINKERS: They exercise initiative in applying thinking skills critically and creatively to recognize and approach complex problems, and make reasoned, ethical decisions.

How can parents help at home?
Encourage your child to try to think of solutions to problems. Pose different real-life problems and questions to your child. “I'm not sure how to arrange the glasses so they can all fit in the cupboard. "I wonder how much the groceries in the cart will cost...how can we make an estimate? Great questions to ask your child: Do you have any idea about how we can begin? How can we do this differently? What other ways can we show that?