6 Practical Ways to Support Child’s Growth at Home

Every child is born with a natural desire to grow, learn, and understand the world. As they grow older, they will be developing a mindset that is resilient, curious, and empathetic towards their surroundings. At BINUS SCHOOL Surabaya, our IB Primary Years Programme (IB PYP) is designed to nurture this potential. However, the programme thrives best when school and home join forces to help students stay curious, build confidence, and grow independent as they explore their findings.

Here are six simple ways to bring the spirit of discovery into regular family routines.

1. Ask “How” and “Why” Instead of Giving Answers 

Curiosity starts with a question. When your child asks about how the world works, try responding with: “What do you think?” or “How could we find out together?”. This small shift shows them that their ideas matter and helps them develop strong reasoning skills from an early age.

2. Turn Everyday Moments into Explorations 

You don’t need special tools or expensive kits to spark a love for learning. Many of the most profound lessons happen during everyday situations, such as:

• In the kitchen: Talk about measurements or how ingredients change when they are heated or cooled.
• In the garden: Observe how plants grow and learn about the changing seasons.
• On a walk: Notice patterns in nature or describe the different textures of leaves and stones.

3. Build Independence Through Simple Routines 

Helping children become self-sufficient is one of the key parts of Approaches to Learning (ATL) in the IB. Parents can encourage children by giving them age-appropriate responsibilities, from packing their own school bag and tidying up their toys to following schedules or using checklists.

4. Read Together and Share Stories 

Reading is a wonderful way to build imagination, vocabulary, and understanding of the world. After finishing a book, dive deeper by asking: “What would you do if you were that character?” or “What part of the story surprised you?”. These casual chats help develop communication skills, empathy, and critical thinking.

5. Celebrate the IB Learner Profile 

At BINUS SCHOOL Surabaya, learning is about more than just academics; it is about who we become as people and how we grow into caring, principled, open-minded, and reflective individuals. Notice and praise moments when your child displays the IB Learner Profile attributes. For example, highlight when they are being caring towards a sibling, principled by telling the truth, or a risk-taker by trying a new food.

6. Focus on the Journey, Not Just the Grades

A child’s growth is a marathon, not a sprint. Instead of only asking about test scores, try asking about their experiences. Questions like “What challenged you today?” or “What did you discover about yourself?” help children connect more deeply with the process of learning rather than just the final result.

By working together, we can ensure that every child grows into a thoughtful, capable, and curious learner, ready to face the future with confidence.

BINUS SCHOOL Surabaya is committed to providing the best international learning environment in Surabaya, East Java, with a high quality curriculum and internationally qualified teachers, from Early Years through to the Secondary Programme. BINUS SCHOOL Surabaya empowers the future with digital excellence, personalised learning experiences, and a strong focus on student wellbeing.