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KIS International School

Primary Years Programme (Ages 3-12)

The Primary School at KIS

Walking into the Primary Years building at KIS gives a sense of wonder and joy. At KIS International School Bangkok, we follow the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (PYP) curriculum.

The PYP is an exciting and challenging international education curriculum framework and is provided to all KIS students between the ages of 3 to 11.

This program is designed to support students in developing the knowledge, skills, and attitudes they need to be successful  in school and in life.

The PYP is based on the belief that all students can learn and that the best way to learn is through hands-on, concept-driven and inquiry-based experiences.

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 natural inquirers. They love to explore and ask questions. The Early Years programme builds on their natural curiosity, children from 3 to 6 years old participate in the Primary Years programme in the Early Years. Our Early Years Programme has some of the most dedicated and experienced teachers who ask questions, promote inquiry and set up play scenarios and activities that challenge young children in their thinking and decision making.

Every learning environment is designed and equipped to encourage inquiry and exploration. There are areas for role play, water play, sand play, building, drawing, sculpting, pre reading, and more. Each play engagement is planned and resourced to encourage and promote learning in all curriculum areas. Our youngest Early Years classes start with a 1:5 teacher-to-student ratio to ensure that each child gets the best care and attention.

The Early Years at KIS provide a welcoming and safe learning environment, both indoors and outdoors, where children learn through play. Academic learning and social learning are integrated, helping children achieve independence, self confidence and a sense of responsibility. With some of the best teacher to student ratios in Bangkok, your child will receive plenty of individual care and attention. This programme develops a strong foundation for children  and a continuum of learning as they move into the grade school at KIS.