What is the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Program (IB PYP)?

The IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) is a special educational program for children aged 3 to 12. It helps children grow, learn, and become caring individuals who love learning throughout their lives. The PYP uses an approach that encourages children to explore, ask questions, and connect different subjects.

The PYP is based on the knowledge and experience of many schools around the world. It brings together the best ideas and methods from these schools to provide a great education. The PYP is known for being innovative and forward-thinking, preparing children for the challenges and opportunities of our changing world.

In the PYP, children are seen as important participants in their own learning. They are encouraged to take responsibility for their learning and work together with their teachers and classmates. Through hands-on activities and reflection, children gain knowledge, understand big ideas, develop useful skills, and become confident learners who can make a positive impact in their lives and communities.

At the core of the PYP framework is the principle of agency, which underlies the three pillars of school life:

1. The learner

2. Learning and teaching

3. The learning community.

If you would like to ask us about your child’s specific PYP needs, get in touch with one of our PYP IB experts for a personalized consultation!

What is the PYP Learner Profile?

The IB learner profile represents a wide range of qualities and abilities that encompass different aspects of a child's growth—such as their thinking, personal, emotional, and social development. It reflects the idea of being open to the world and embracing diverse perspectives.

In the PYP, the learner profile is a guiding principle that influences every part of school life. It encourages everyone in the school community, from students and teachers to parents and school leaders, to embrace and demonstrate these positive attributes.

An IB education, shaped by the values of the learner profile, has several key focuses:

• Placing students at the heart: IB programs prioritize students' well-being, fostering healthy relationships, ethical responsibility, and personal growth.

• Nurturing effective learning and teaching approaches: IB programs help students develop the knowledge, skills, and attitudes needed for success in both academics and personal life.

• Embracing a global perspective: IB programs promote understanding of languages, cultures, and globally significant ideas and issues.

• Exploring meaningful content: IB programs offer a curriculum that is diverse, well-rounded, and interconnected, helping students make connections between different subjects.

The PYP is designed to support the overall development of children, both inside and outside the classroom. It revolves around six transdisciplinary themes that have global significance. These themes are explored using knowledge and skills from different subject areas, along with approaches to learning (ATL) skills. The PYP is adaptable to fit various national or local curriculums and provides a strong foundation for students as they progress to the IB Middle Years Programme (MYP).

What are the six transdisciplinary themes in the PYP?

• Exploring Ourselves

Inquiry into understanding ourselves, our beliefs, values, health, relationships, and what it means to be human in various aspects of life.

• Discovering Time and Place

Inquiry into our location in space and time, personal histories, homes, journeys, and the connections between individuals and civilizations from different perspectives.

• Expressing Our Ideas

Inquiry into how we communicate and express ideas, emotions, nature, culture, creativity, and our appreciation of aesthetics.

• Understanding Our World

Inquiry into the natural world, scientific principles, the interaction between nature and human societies, and the impact of scientific and technological advancements on society and the environment.

• Organizing Our Society

Inquiry into the interconnectedness of human-made systems, communities, organizational structures, decision-making processes, economic activities, and their impact on humanity and the environment.

• Sharing Our Planet

Inquiry into the rights, responsibilities, and challenges of sharing finite resources with others and living things, building communities, promoting equal opportunities, and fostering peace and conflict resolution.

Each year, students engage with all of these themes, with younger students (aged 3 to 6) exploring four themes annually. These themes guide teachers in developing meaningful inquiries that delve into significant ideas identified by the school. By connecting these ideas to the wider world, students find relevance and excitement in their learning journey.

PYP students actively participate in the learning process, understanding their roles and responsibilities. They collaborate with teachers to document and gather evidence of their understanding of important ideas. They expect to learn in various ways, both individually and in groups, to maximize their learning potential.

How does the PYP help prepare students for the MYP and IB?

• Getting Ready for the MYP and the IB - The PYP prepares students for the MYP and the IB by giving them the tools they need to succeed.

• Taking Care of Students' Well-being -The PYP supports students' overall well-being, including their academic, social, and emotional needs, which helps them thrive in the MYP and the IB.

• Becoming Independent Learners - In the PYP, students learn to be independent and take charge of their own learning, which sets them up for success in the MYP and the IB.

• Understanding the World Around Them - Through the PYP, students gain a better understanding of the world and how they fit into it, preparing them to confidently tackle global issues in the MYP and the IB.

• Building Strong Values - The PYP helps students develop strong personal values that serve as a solid foundation for embracing an international mindset, an important aspect of the MYP and the IB.

• Learning Multiple Languages - Starting from an early age, the PYP offers students the opportunity to learn more than one language, which is valuable for their journey through the MYP and the IB.

If you really want to get the most out of the PYP and prepare best for the MYP and IB, make sure to book a trial tutoring session with one of our in-person or IB PYP online tutors.

Further down we’ll also discuss some tricks and tips for the PYP.