What's Holistic Education

Holistic education is yet another form of education for our children. This approach to education is carried out in a way the name suggests. Holistic Education takes into consideration a broad range of aspects and tends to look at the bigger picture (in other words the “whole person”) when it comes to our children’s development.

There are five aspects that holistic education consider:

• Physical
• Emotional
• Spiritual
• Social
• Interaction

These are the benchmarks upon which Holistic Education is based upon.

I find these days more and more parents are beginning to question the benefits of traditional styles of teaching.  I feel that people are starting to look at whether this type of education is providing the greatest foundation for our children and searching out alternatives.

There is also a significant amount of studies out there to indicate that traditional education perhaps might not be as effective as it could be. One study found when they were researching two groups of children that, “educational enthusiasm and progress of integrative students (holistic students) was more than those taught with traditional methods”. *

Given experts know more about how children learn, there is more validity to indicate that holistic education tends to lend itself to a more well-rounded and effective style of learning. It doesn’t just focus on the mental or academic aspects it brings into play social, emotional and physical elements and sets children up with vital learning tools that will benefit them in their older years. Not just at school, but when they find themselves out in the world.

Holistic education is also a popular option as it embraces children’s individuality and frames their learning around their unique abilities. Not every child learns in the same way and this technique allows each child the freedom and the ability to learn utilising their strengths. Sometimes they might be able to problem solve using their social or creativity capacities as opposed to their academic ability. They could be a more visual learner as opposed to one who is happily able to listen to instructions. There are so many variables that holistic education can embrace and nurture.

What’s more, because holistic education looks at a group of aspects when learning it gives children more opportunities to learn in a way that is meaningful to them. This results in learning that resonates and one that is more effective at being retained.

And the beauty of holistic education is it’s not only confined to the indoors. It embraces elements like Mother Nature. Which is what I especially love. Being outdoors offers so many beautiful opportunities for learning and is a place that most children truly enjoy being.

So what are your thoughts about Holistic Education? I’d love to hear what you think.

Lisa x

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