Primary Years Programme

The PYP is a designed framework for students age 3-12, the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) provides the knowledge, concepts, skills personal attributes and the capacity to take action, all of which younger students need to equip them for successful lives, both now and in the future.

Learning through inquiry, a child’s investigations across and beyond subject areas will strengthen knowledge and understanding as they explore global, topical and relevant ‘big picture’ questions, or interdisciplinary themes.

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Student-centred learning

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The PYP provides an ideal foundation for children to become successful, lifelong learners by developing their:

• social and emotional well-being

• independence, as they take responsibility for their own learning

• international mindedness

• understanding of the world and their ability to function effectively within it

• attitudes and dispositions for learning

• ability to take mindful, appropriate and sustainable student-initiated action

• language skills; all students study an additional language from at least 7 years of age.

​Learning in the PYP is underpinned by six interdisciplinary themes, each selected for their relevance to the real world. Young learners explore the commonalities of human experience by investigating these themes through a program of inquiry.

1. Who we are
   An inquiry into the nature of the self; beliefs and values; personal, physical, mental, social and spiritual health; human relationships including families, friends, communities, and cultures; rights and responsibilities; what it means to be human.
   

2. Where we are in place and time
   An inquiry into orientation in place and time; personal histories; homes and journeys; the discoveries, explorations and migrations of humankind; the relationships between and the interconnectedness of individuals and civilizations, from local and global perspectives.
   

3. How we express ourselves
   An inquiry into the ways in which we discover and express ideas, feelings, nature, culture, beliefs and values; the ways in which we reflect on, extend and enjoy our creativity;;our appreciation of the aesthetic.
   

4. ​How the world works
   An inquiry into the natural world and its laws; the interaction between the natural world (physical and biological) and human societies; how humans use their understanding of scientific principles; the impact of scientific and technological advances on society and on the environment.
   

5. ​How we organize ourselves
   An inquiry into the interconnectedness of human-made systems and communities; the structure and function of organizations; societal decision-making; economic activities and their impact on humankind and the environment.
   

6. ​Sharing the planet
   An inquiry into rights and responsibilities in the struggle to share finite resources with other people and with other living things; communities and the relationships within and between them; access to equal opportunities; peace and conflict resolution.

For more information please visit: https://ibo.org/programmes/primary-years-programme/