What is the PYP?
Primary Years Programme – The IB Foundation for Students Aged 3-12
The PYP (Primary Years Programme) is one of the educational programs offered by the International Baccalaureate (IB) organization. It is designed for students aged 3 to 12 (typically covering kindergarten through elementary school) and focuses on the early years of a child’s education. The PYP offers a holistic and inquiry-based approach to learning with the goal of developing students who are internationally minded, knowledgeable, and caring individuals.
🌟 Key Features & Components
Transdisciplinary Learning
Promotes exploration of themes and concepts that cut across traditional subject boundaries, encouraging students to make connections between different areas of knowledge.
Inquiry-Based Learning
Inquiry is at the heart of the PYP. Students are encouraged to ask questions, investigate, and engage in meaningful research within a structured framework.
Concept-Based Curriculum
Built around key concepts that help students understand big ideas and make connections between different areas of knowledge, explored in depth across subjects.
Action and Service
Encourages students to take action based on their learning—whether through community service or steps to make a positive difference—as a natural extension of inquiry.
Language Development
Strong emphasis on developing language skills in the student’s mother tongue and additional languages, with a focus on effective communication.
Assessment
Designed to be authentic and meaningful, using varied assessment strategies with an emphasis on formative assessment to inform teaching and learning.
📚 Units of Inquiry
The PYP is organized around six transdisciplinary themes, which provide a framework for inquiry-based units of study:
🌐 International Perspective
The PYP promotes international-mindedness by encouraging students to explore global issues and perspectives. It aims to develop students who are open-minded, empathetic, and informed about the world around them.
Programme Goals & Pathway
The PYP is designed to provide a well-rounded and holistic education for young learners, encouraging them to be active learners, critical thinkers, and responsible global citizens. As students progress through the PYP, they develop a strong foundation in key skills and concepts that prepare them for further education and personal growth. After completing the PYP, students can continue their IB education in the Middle Years Programme (MYP) and Diploma Programme (DP).