The IB brochure The IB Primary Years Programme describes a PYP education as “an inquiry-based, transdisciplinary curriculum framework that builds conceptual understanding.” This emphasizes the goal of helping students develop deep conceptual understanding through their learning experiences. To support this aim, the IB provides updated guidance and resources to help educators and schools effectively implement this approach to teaching and learning.
Understanding the PYP Updates
The PYP subject guidance supports implementation by providing a range of resources designed with the understanding that PYP educators are also curriculum designers. These updates are meant to help schools apply the PYP framework effectively within their unique context.
aspects of human experience to creating a more balanced perspective that includes both the human and natural worlds. Each of the six themes now begins with an opening statement that introduces the unit, followed by three concise bullet points that support conceptual learning.Subject Learning Continuums: These have replaced the previous scope and sequence documents and are designed to support transdisciplinary teaching and learning. Each strand within a subject continuum includes conceptual understandings and learning outcomes to guide the planning and design of learning experiences.
Inquiry Progressions: This resource offers examples of how inquiry unfolds in the classroom. It supports the teaching and learning of selected inquiry skills that help students build conceptual understanding.
These resources all share a common purpose: supporting learners in developing conceptual understanding through subject content strands. PYP educators can use the inquiry progressions to design transdisciplinary learning experiences that promote skill development and serve as tools for individual and group goal-setting. This approach also helps educators plan more equitably to meet diverse student needs. Additional resources—such as the Additional Language Learning Guidance, Early Years Support Materials, and the Curriculum Design Toolkit—are also available to support effective curriculum design.
PYP Workshop Objectives
The Learning and Teaching for Conceptual Understanding workshop is designed to build educators’ capacity to “design and teach for conceptual understanding within a transdisciplinary context.” To support this goal, the IB aims to explore the following:
- Conceptual understanding is central to the aims of an IB education.
- Conceptual understanding is developed through the pedagogical
approaches to teaching to support transdisciplinary learning - The programme of inquiry and the PYP collaborative planning process
frame opportunities that enable designing and teaching for conceptual
understanding that connects meaningfully to the learner and the
learning community. - Concepts play a critical role in organizing, designing and planning
curriculum and learning.
How the Conceptual Understanding Workshop Supports the Implementation of PYP Updates
Preparing to Deliver the New Subject Guidance
Consider beginning preparations now for the September 2027 implementation of the new subject guidance. Since all teachers are viewed as curriculum designers, it’s important to involve them early in the process. Administrators, academic coaches, and media specialists should also be included in the collaborative work of creating or revising the programme of inquiry and units of instruction using the new guidance, tools, and resources. Starting early allows more time for planning and scheduling professional learning, familiarizing everyone with the resources, and conducting unit revision sessions to incorporate the required changes.
The Value of Professional Growth
Professional growth as a curriculum designer is a powerful and empowering part of an IB educator’s journey. The new subject guidance and resources align with the IB mission and PYP framework, offering a student-centered, future-focused approach that provides educators with greater support throughout the collaborative planning process. By equipping educators with the professional tools and opportunities to have voice, choice, and ownership in designing learning experiences, environments, and culture aligned with the mission, students are better positioned to develop the skills needed to learn effectively, think conceptually, and collaborate successfully.
How to Register for the Learning and Teaching for Conceptual Understanding and other CASIE Workshops
We’d love for you to join our upcoming CASIE workshops! To register, please visit the IB Workshops page on our website. If you need help with registration or have questions about group registration, feel free to contact us at registration@casieonline.org.
