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How Does an Inquiry-Based Curriculum Develop Critical Thinking in Young Learners?

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  IB Primary Year Program (PYP) - Dwight School Seoul The  IB Primary Year Program (PYP)  uses a unique inquiry-based framework that helps young learners become critical thinkers by encouraging them to explore, question, and reflect on real-world ideas rather than simply memorizing facts. At its core, this approach invites students to take an active role in their learning, shaping their understanding through meaningful experiences and guided investigation. 1. Learning Through Inquiry, Not Memorization Instead of traditional teacher-led instruction, the inquiry-based curriculum places students at the heart of the learning process. Children are encouraged to ask questions, investigate topics, and seek answers using a variety of resources and methods. This cycle of asking, exploring, and reflecting develops a mindset where students learn  how to think  rather than  what to think. By exploring questions that matter to them and to the world, learners naturally p...

What Are the Key Features of a Play-Based Early Childhood Curriculum?

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  IB Early Childhood Division (ECD) - Dwight School Seoul The IB Early Childhood Division (ECD) Program prioritizes the belief that young children learn best when learning feels natural, joyful, and purposeful. At its core, a play-based early childhood curriculum transforms play from “just fun” into an intentional and powerful engine for learning and development especially during the most formative years of a child’s life. 1. Child-Centered and Inquiry-Driven Learning A play-based curriculum places children’s interests and natural curiosity at the center of learning. Instead of following rigid lessons, students are encouraged to explore, ask questions, and take part in activities that spark their curiosity. With carefully designed learning spaces that invite exploration, children have a voice in shaping what they learn and how they learn it. This emphasis on inquiry encourages young learners to become active participants rather than passive recipients fostering independence, ...

What Makes the IB Diploma Program (IBDP) a Rigorous Pre-University Pathway?

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  IB Diploma Program (IBDP) - Dwight School Soeul The IB Diploma Program (IBDP) is widely recognized as one of the most academically demanding and well-rounded high school curricula available for students preparing for higher education. According to the program overview, success in the IBDP not only reflects deep academic competence but also opens doors to top universities around the world and often leads to course credits, scholarships, and admissions advantages. 1. A Globally Standardized, Challenging Evaluation System At the heart of the program’s rigor is its comprehensive assessment structure . The IBDP spans two years (typically Grades 11 and 12) and requires students to complete both internal and external assessments , culminating in a series of strictly external examinations . These exams are timed and designed to test more than rote memorization they assess students’ ability to apply knowledge, think critically, and solve problems in varied contexts. Unlike many oth...

What Skills Do Students Gain from a Middle Years Programme?

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  IB Middle Year Program (MYP) - Dwight School Seoul The IB Middle Year Program (MYP) is designed to support students during a critical stage of development by building both academic understanding and essential life skills. Rather than focusing solely on content knowledge, the programme emphasizes inquiry, reflection, and real-world connections that help students grow into confident, capable learners. Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving Skills A defining feature of the IB Middle Year Program (MYP) is its inquiry-based and interdisciplinary approach. Students are encouraged to question concepts, analyze information, and make meaningful connections across subjects. This nurtures strong critical-thinking and problem-solving abilities that can be applied beyond the classroom. Communication Skills Clear communication is developed through classroom discussions, collaborative tasks, and varied assessment formats. Students learn how to express ideas effectively, listen to different...

How the IB Primary Years Programme Shapes Young Thinker

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  The IB Primary Years Programme (IB PYP) is designed to nurture curious, confident, and capable learners during their most formative years. As part of the IB curriculum primary framework, the programme focuses on how children learn, not just what they learn. It supports students academically, socially, emotionally, and physically, making it a strong foundation for families exploring international schools in Seoul, international schools in Korea, and other schools in South Korea for international students. A Holistic Approach to Primary Education The IB Primary Years Programme is built around the belief that young learners construct meaning through active engagement with the world around them. Rather than relying on rote learning, the programme emphasizes inquiry, encouraging students to ask questions, explore ideas, and reflect on their understanding. This whole-child approach is one of the reasons why the PYP is widely offered at top IB schools and considered among the best inter...

How Does Play-Based, Inquiry-Led Learning Nurture Curious Minds in the Early Years?

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Exploring Learning at Dwight School Seoul’s Early Childhood Division (ECD) At Dwight School Seoul’s Early Childhood Division (ECD), the foundation of a child’s educational journey is built through a thoughtfully designed blend of play-based and inquiry-led learning, all rooted in the International Baccalaureate (IB) Primary Years Programme (PYP). This approach isn’t just fun and engaging — it’s intentionally structured to nurture curiosity, independence, and lifelong learning from the earliest years. The Heart of Play-Based, Inquiry-Led Learning Play-based learning at ECD acknowledges that children naturally explore and make sense of the world through play. Rather than separating play from education, every activity from imaginative role-play to hands-on exploration is designed to provoke questions, encourage experimentation, and invite children to discover concepts firsthand. Inquiry-led learning complements this by encouraging students to drive their own learning. Children are gui...

Inside the IB Diploma Programme: Building Academic Excellence and Global Mindsets

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  The International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme (DP) is a challenging and comprehensive educational framework designed for students aged 16 to 19 during Grades 11 and 12. At its core, the DP emphasizes rigorous academic standards, critical thinking, and global awareness equipping learners with both intellectual and personal skills essential for success in university and beyond. A distinguishing strength of the DP lies in its combination of internal evaluations and externally administered examinations. Across six subject groups including language and literature, sciences, humanities, mathematics, and the arts students maintain a broad and balanced academic portfolio. This structure ensures that graduates are not only deeply knowledgeable in specific areas but also versatile thinkers capable of integrating insights from various fields. The programme’s core components set it apart from traditional curricula. Theory of Knowledge (TOK) encourages learners to reflect on the natu...