Principal’s Weekly Update 07 7 key concepts in Action

Dear PYP Parents,

I hope you have all had a great week! Thank you, as always, for your continued support and for helping us nurture confident, reflective, and kind learners here at Concordia International School Ningbo.

This week, we’ve been focusing on an essential part of the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP): the Key Concepts. These seven “big ideas” help students develop deeper understanding by encouraging them to ask thoughtful questions, explore different perspectives, and connect their learning across subjects.

What Are the Key Concepts?

There are seven Key Concepts in the PYP:

• Form – What is it like?

• Function – How does it work?

• Causation – Why is it like this? 

• Change – How is it changing? 

• Connection – How is it connected to other things? 

• Perspective – What are the different points of view? 

• Responsibility – What is our responsibility? 

Rather than being taught as separate lessons, these concepts are woven into every subject and unit to help children become deeper thinkers and more active participants in their learning.

Why Are They Important?

Key Concepts guide students to:

• Think critically

• Understand different viewpoints

• Make connections across subjects

• Ask deeper, more meaningful questions

For example, during a recent unit on plants, students asked:

• “Why do some plants grow in one place but not another?”（Causation）

• “What is our responsibility in caring for nature?”（Responsibility）

• “How is this plant connected to our daily lives?”（Connection）

When students learn this way, they are not just memorising facts—they are building understanding that is transferable to new situations and useful beyond the classroom.

How Can Parents Support This at Home?

You can help reinforce these thinking habits at home by asking open-ended, concept-based questions, such as:

• “Why do you think that happened?”

• “How are these things connected?”

• “What might someone else think about this?”

By encouraging your child to explain, reflect, and consider other perspectives, you are helping them become confident, curious, and compassionate learners.

Final Thought: Learning Together as a Community

At Concordia International School Ningbo, we believe that strong thinking skills are essential for academic success and lifelong learning. The Key Concepts are one of the many tools we use to help children become inquirers, thinkers, and responsible members of a global society.

Thank you, as always, for walking this journey with us. Next time, we’ll share some specific examples of how these concepts appear in real lessons and how students apply them in action.

Wishing you and your family a peaceful and relaxing weekend!

Ian Barnes

Principal
Concordia International School Ningbo