School Guide

The merits of the Primary Years Programme (PYP)

Published by SchoolAdvisor | Sep 05, 2014

Researchers from Deakin University recently published a study on early years education under the International Baccalaureate (IB) programme with four Primary years Programme (PYP) examined in Singapore and Australia.

The International Baccalaureate (IB): Primary Years Programme (PYP)

The IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) is designed for students aged 3 to 12. The curriculum focuses on the development of the child holistically as an inquirer, both in and out of the classroom.

The curriculum is defined by six trans-disciplinary themes of global significance, explored using knowledge and skills derived from six subject areas, with a powerful emphasis on inquiry-based learning.

The study focused on preschool students enrolled in the Primary Years programme (PYP) with children aged 3 to 6 years old.The study included both qualitative data from classroom observations and interviews as well as quantitative data from literacy and development assessments. Some of the main findings from the study included:

1. "IB PYP Students were found to perform at or above expectations of age group"

Researchers observed strong evidence of inquiry-based learning in the PYP: discussion and exploration of concepts and issues in groups, linked to projects and units of inquiry that children were working on.This was further elaborated with children assuming responsibility and showing empathy for group members while in group work. With a rich and stimulating learning environment under the PYP, researchers also found it to be a natural environment for self-directed play and an emphasis of expression through arts.

2. "IB PYP students perform at or above literacy levels typically expected for their age groups"

The average PYP six-year-old enrolled in one of the sample schools performed at Prep (5-6 years old) or Year 1 (6-7 years old) levels. In another sample inAustralia, PYP students, who averaged 5.5 years of age, performed at a pre-school (4-5 years old) or Prep level.

3. "High levels of learning skills significantly found in IB students"

When contrasted to a sample of schools in relation to student’s learning abilities that included organization, work cooperation, work confidence and persistence, PYP student were found to have higher levels of these learning skills.

This was attributed to the PYP’s strong play-based and inquiry-lead framework that supported the development of such learning skills. Furthermore, students were found to have a much deeper sense of ownership to the learning experience offered under the PYP which contributed to such developments in contrast to the control sample population.

4. "IB students are aware of their own learning and personal development"

When interviewed by the researchers on favorite pastimes, students from the two Singapore sample schools responded to include learning activities and outdoor playtime at school. This was suggested to be caused by the PYP supporting the attribute acquisition of the IB Learner Profile which provides students with an acute awareness of their own learning.

The study also included finding with regards to parental involvement and subsequent satisfaction to the PYP’s approach to learning. This was further translated to confidence in the IB programme bringing academic success to their children.

For more information on the study, visit the IBO website here.

Fore more information open International Schools offering the International Baccalaureate (IB) programme in Malaysia, click on the pages here (Schools in Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya & Selangor) and here (rest of Malaysia).