IB PYP offers a research-based, transdisciplinary learning program for students aged to 12, which enhances their understanding of interconnected relationships between various subjects. The program reflects the best practices and knowledge gained from IB schools worldwide in scientific research, leadership in thinking, and experience. “We believe that the IB PYP program will encourage greater student engagement, questioning, promote critical thinking, enable them to take responsibility for their own learning, provide opportunities to explore global themes more deeply, and increase student motivation”, says Rūta Gudynienė, IB PYP program coordinator and primary school teacher.

“Erudito Licėjus primary school teachers, while undergoing internships in various European schools, have noticed the advantages offered by IB PYP and found that the principles of IB education are very similar to the principles applied in our school”, says Daiva Jankauskienė, Head of Primary School Programs and Pre-primary school teacher. Since the founding of Erudito Licėjus, great emphasis has been placed on integration weeks, contextual and experiential education, critical thinking education, and project activities. The school applies thinking habits that are closely related to the attributes of the International Baccalaureate Learner Profile, such as being inquiring, knowledgeable, thinking, communicative, principled, open-minded, caring, risk-taking, balanced, and reflective.

The International Baccalaureate Primary Years Program consists of six transdisciplinary themes that are explored in all subject groups:

• Who we are;
• Where we are in place and time;
• How we express ourselves;
• How the world works;
• How we organize ourselves;
• Sharing the planet.
  These themes are selected based on their relevance to the real world. They have no strict boundaries and create a meaningful and authentic context for the learning process. This helps the student take responsibility for their learning process, understand its purpose, and connect the content of education to the real world.

Both IB PYP and Erudito Licėjus place great emphasis on developing the following student skills:

• Thinking skills;
• Communication skills;
• Research skills;
• Self-management skills;
• Social skills.

This primary education program encourages the assessment of student competencies, and significant attention is given to them in updated national education programs.

Rūta Gudynienė, IB PYP program coordinator, Primary school techer
Daiva Jankauskienė, Head of Primary School Programs and Pre-primary school teacher