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Primary Years Programme (Ages 3-12)

The Primary School at KIS

Step into the vibrant heart of KIS International School Bangkok, where the learning in the Primary School exudes an atmosphere of curiosity and shared joy.

At KIS, the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) provides the foundation for our teaching and learning. PYP students aged 3 to 11 have agency and inquire into issues and topics that have personal relevance. They research global challenges and find ways to take meaningful action locally here in Bangkok.

Within the PYP, we create a dynamic environment, fostering the holistic development of our students, equipping them with the knowledge, skills, and dispositions for learning that transcends academic endeavors.

Central to our philosophy is the belief that every student possesses the innate capacity to learn, and that this learning is most profound when ignited through hands-on, concept-driven, and inquiry-rich experiences. In the PYP at KIS, we are a vibrant community of inspiring individuals.

What is the Primary Years Programme (PYP)

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The PYP is built around six transdisciplinary themes that help students make connections between different subject areas and the real world. These themes help students build an understanding and appreciation of the local environment in Thailand while also developing a sense of global citizenship.The PYP also incorporates key concepts to assist students in developing their critical and creative thinking skills. These concepts encourage students to explore and discover through play and to reflect on their learning experiences.

The PYP at KIS is an inclusive program that is designed to meet the needs of all students. The program is flexible and adaptable, so that it can be tailored to meet the needs of individual students.

Overall, PYP at KIS provides a great foundation for students to develop a love for learning and to be prepared for life beyond school. We focus on the whole child, and equip them with the skills and knowledge to navigate the world around them. The program's hands-on, inquiry-based approach encourages students to be curious, and to think critically and creatively. The PYP at KIS is a great choice for families who are looking for an international education that is challenging, engaging, and inclusive.

Transdisciplinary Learning

The PYP is a transdisciplinary programme, providing interconnectedness between subjects and disciplines wherever possible. It is also connected through core elements:

  • Subject Knowledge
  • Key Concepts
  • Approaches to Learning
  • Student Action

PYP Key Concepts

The key concepts are central to the curriculum and are presented in the form of key questions. It is these questions that shape each unit of inquiry giving it direction and purpose. The concepts have been carefully developed to encourage students to develop further open-ended questions and think more broadly and deeply as they develop their inquiries and understandings.

These concepts are:

  • Form - What is it?
  • Function - How does it work?
  • Causation - Why is it like it is?
  • Change - How is it changing?
  • Connection - How is it connected to other things?
  • Perspective - What are the points of view?
  • Responsibility - What is our responsibility?

Through exploring these concepts children are able to explore big ideas about the world, and develop their own questions in increasingly more cognitive ways

The IB Approaches to Learning

The ATL connects the PYP vertically to the MYP. They also connect through all the subject disciplines, and are important in supporting children to transfer learning from one area to another. The ATL are a set of 5 skill groups  which are unpacked into more specific sub skills:

Self Management Skills

Organization: Managing Self, Time Management, Goal Setting
States of mind: Mindfulness, Perseverance, Emotional Management, Self Motivation, Resilience

Social Skills

Interpersonal: Self Control, Emotional Intelligence
Interpersonal: Respecting Others, Supporting Others, Social Intelligence, Resolving Conflict

Thinking Skills

Critical thinking: Analysis, Evaluation, Farming Decisions
Creative thinking: Generating novel ideas, Considering new perspectives
Transfer: Application, Application in multiple Contexts
Reflection: Reflection, Metacognition

Research Skills

Information Literacy: Formulating & Planning, Gathering & Recording, Synthesizing & Interpreting, Evaluating & Communicating Media Literacy: Consuming & Processing, Considering online perspectives
Ethical Use: Ethical Use Reliability of sources

Communication Skills

Exchanging Information: Listening, Interpreting, Speaking
Literacy: Reading, Writing,
ICT: Media Representation, Informed Choices

Action in the PYP

Action is an essential element of the PYP and encourages students to take responsibility for their learning and to make a positive difference in their communities. It emphasizes on the importance of taking action based on the knowledge, skills, and attitudes acquired through their learning experiences. Action at KIS can take many forms, for example, students show agency and develop projects to make the school community a better place, and they take part in a service learning project to help others. They can be individual or group projects, local or global actions, that aim to make a positive impact on the world. Through action, students learn to become responsible global citizens who are committed to making a positive difference in the world.

The Early Years in the PYP

Young children are naturally curious, driven by their innate desire to explore and ask questions. In our Early Years program, tailored for children aged 3 to 6, we harness and nurture this innate curiosity. Our experienced teachers foster an environment where students inquire collaboratively with their peers and create engaging play scenarios that challenge young minds.

Our learning environments are purposefully designed and equipped to inspire creativity, wonder and exploration. These spaces include areas for imaginative play, water activities, sand play, construction, art, and more. Each learning center is carefully planned and resourced to support inquiry across various curriculum areas. 

At KIS, our Early Years program offers a welcoming and secure learning environment, both indoors and outdoors, where children discover and learn through play. Here, academic and social learning integrate seamlessly, fostering independence, self-confidence, and a sense of responsibility in each learner. With a low teacher-to-student ratio, your child will receive individualized care and support. 

The PYP in the Early Years at KIS lays a strong foundation for children as they progress into the lower grade school at KIS.