Nurturing Curious, Capable and Internationally-Minded Learners | Ages 3-12
The International Baccalaureate (IB) Primary Years Programme (PYP) is designed for learners aged 3 to 12. It focuses on the development of the whole child as an active, curious and capable inquirer, both in the classroom and in the world beyond.
The PYP is a transdisciplinary framework that brings together knowledge and skills from different subject areas through meaningful contexts for learning. It places a strong emphasis on inquiry, conceptual understanding, learner agency and international-mindedness, helping learners develop the knowledge, skills and dispositions needed for lifelong learning.
In the early years, children learn through meaningful experiences that support their social, emotional, cognitive and physical development. The PYP provides a play-based and inquiry-rich environment where young learners can explore, experiment, communicate and make sense of the world around them.
Play is an important context for learning. Through play and guided inquiry, children develop curiosity, language, self-management and social skills while building confidence and a positive sense of identity.
Learning experiences are responsive to children’s interests, needs and developmental stages, allowing them to explore ideas at their own pace. Supportive relationships and thoughtfully designed learning environments encourage children to become confident, capable and curious learners, laying the foundation for lifelong learning.
Learner agency is central to the PYP learning process. It is woven through the learner, learning and teaching, and learning community, creating opportunities for learners to develop voice, choice and ownership in their learning.
Inquiry is at the heart of the PYP. It is purposeful, authentic and guided, encouraging learners to take an active role in constructing meaning and developing understanding. Learners are encouraged to wonder, question, explore, investigate, experiment, make connections, collaborate, solve problems and reflect as they develop deeper understanding.
Teachers guide and support this process by creating engaging, challenging and relevant learning experiences that respond to learners’ interests, questions, developmental needs and prior knowledge. Through guided inquiry, teachers provide appropriate support and scaffolding while encouraging learners to take increasing responsibility for their learning.
The PYP curriculum is broad, balanced, conceptual and connected. It helps learners connect learning across subject areas and apply their understanding to real-world contexts, preparing them to become active participants in learning throughout their lives.
The IB Learner Profile describes the attributes that support learners in becoming internationally minded, lifelong learners.
PYP learners strive to become:
- Inquirers
- Knowledgeable
- Thinkers
- Communicators
- Principled
- Open-minded
- Caring
- Risk-takers
- Balanced
- Reflective
These attributes support the development of the whole learner and encourage curiosity, understanding, ethical responsibility, openness to different perspectives and a commitment to lifelong learning.
The Programme of Inquiry provides a coherent framework for transdisciplinary learning across the PYP. It brings together important concepts, knowledge and skills through units of inquiry that encourage learners to explore meaningful questions and make connections across different areas of learning.
Each unit of inquiry is developed around a transdisciplinary theme, a central idea and carefully selected lines of inquiry. Learners explore these through the Specified Concepts, while developing the attributes of the IB Learner Profile and the Approaches to Learning.
Through sustained inquiry, learners build on prior understanding, explore important ideas, make connections across subjects and contexts, and develop deeper conceptual understanding.
The PYP develops skills that help learners become independent, effective and self-directed learners.
The five interrelated Approaches to Learning are:
- Thinking skills
- Research skills
- Communication skills
- Social skills
- Self-management skills
These skills support learners in thinking critically and creatively, researching and communicating ideas, collaborating with others and managing themselves effectively.
Learner agency is an important part of the PYP learning process. It gives learners opportunities to develop voice, choice and ownership in their learning.
Learners and teachers work together to plan, explore and reflect on learning, with learners contributing ideas, making meaningful choices and taking increasing responsibility for their learning.
Action is an integral part of the PYP. Through individual and collective action, learners explore how their choices and actions can make a difference to themselves, others and their communities.
The PYP Exhibition is a culminating experience in the final year of the programme. Learners undertake a collaborative, transdisciplinary inquiry into an issue, opportunity or area of personal and shared significance.
Through sustained inquiry, learners identify questions, investigate real-world issues, develop their understanding and consider meaningful action where appropriate.
The Exhibition provides an opportunity for learners to demonstrate their understanding, independence, responsibility and agency while bringing together the knowledge, skills and attributes developed throughout their PYP journey.
It celebrates learners as active inquirers and internationally minded members of their communities.
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