The What & Why of Holistic Education
The world is changing, and only academic excellence can no longer assure happiness and success in career and life. Compared to the past years, children’s holistic growth and development from their early years have become more important than ever. Traditional learning focuses on teaching children things to remember, but holistic learning emphasizes the child’s emotional, mental, physical and psychological well-being and growth.
The overall development guarantees that they can face all the challenges and demands of their life. They can solve problems and face their fears without backing out of difficult situations. Since every child is unique, the educational curriculum must make room for them to hone their skills and realize their passions. Read along to know the exact meaning of holistic education and its importance for a child’s well-rounded growth.
What Is The Meaning Of Holistic Education?
Holistic education refers to a comprehensive approach to teaching where the teaching staff seeks to address the students’ academic, social, emotional, physical, and ethical needs. Educators try to integrate all of these needs in the learning format to create a nurturing environment for the children.
The emphasis is not solely placed on academic excellence but on creating a positive learning environment where children receive support for their non-academic and academic needs. In CBSE schools like Sri Sri Academy, Siliguri students are taught to assess their actions and realize how they impact the local and global community. Also, students are encouraged to learn from their surrounding community. The educators even engage the children in varied projects that encourage them to think critically and solve real-world issues.
Additionally, children are motivated to go outside and take part in sports activities like football, table tennis and basketball. They are encouraged to sharpen their talents and skills by participating in various activities, including performing arts, dance, music, art and more.
The five primary aspects of holistic education and development are:
- Emotional health: Taking care of the emotional health of the students is of utmost importance. The emotional health of a child directly impacts their physical and mental health. So, holistic education aims to encourage and motivate children, so their emotional health is well-balanced.
- Physical health: Maintaining the students’ physical health is the easiest to evaluate and check. Children are encouraged to partake in physical education and sports activities to remain active. Optimal physical health is also achieved through proper diet and sleep.
- Social health: In holistic education, educators try to teach social skills to the students to have meaningful and effective interactions with their friends and peers. With better communication skills, children can overcome hurdles in their lives, and they won’t be afraid to mingle at home, school or even during social gatherings. They will not shy away from starting a conversation with unknown people who they have met for the first time. Also, when children are pursuing their higher education or start working in an office, they will be capable of making friends quickly.
- Mental health: As you must be aware, a child’s physical and emotional health is directly related to their mental health. Therefore, holistic education encourages cognitive development so that the minds of the students are sharpened and strengthened. They are made capable of overcoming all obstacles and solving problems on their own.
The Importance Of Holistic Education For Children
Holistic education is known to bring myriad benefits to teachers, students and schools. Students are empowered to enhance their educational outcomes and perform to their potential by gaining skills necessary for becoming successful and happy in life. The many ways that holistic education is important for children are briefly explained below.
- Enhanced academic achievement for children is made possible: Even though holistic education doesn’t only focus on academics and textbook-based education, it helps to augment the academic achievements of the students. That’s because holistic education provides a learning environment for every child and caters to their specific needs. Furthermore, the brain capacities of children are increased when they feel emotionally and mentally safe.
- Promotes better emotional and mental well-being of children: Holistic education creates a nurturing and supportive learning environment. It helps students to realize their talents and skills, along with academics. They get a chance to know themselves and their surroundings. Also, they become much more confident when they’ve been given opportunities to explore their likes and dislikes. Such children grow up to have a sense of social responsibility.
- Children get better at solving problems without asking for help: When children are taught to solve their problems themselves, they emerge as strong individuals with critical-thinking skills. As students are given hands-on projects, they learn to apply those skills to their adult lives.
What Is The Teacher’s Role In Holistic Education?
In the conventional education system, educators are seen as the person who wields the ultimate authority in the classroom. However, holistic education is quite different, and the teacher is not viewed as a figure of authority but a friend, mentor and facilitator.
In the CBSE school in Siliguri where holistic education is given importance, you’ll find teachers having honest and open communications with students. Even the teacher-parent relationship is encouraged because the environment is one of cooperation and collaboration. The concept here is to provide the children with all the tools and skills they need to grow and develop independently. Children aren’t forced to do things they don’t want to, but they are encouraged to express their opinions.
However, the role of the teacher continues to be important even if the education system is moving away from the traditional teaching methods. Teachers are responsible for creating a free and nurturing learning environment in the classroom where students thrive.
Wrapping Up
Through holistic education, teachers encourage students to achieve lifelong success and happiness. The increasing emphasis on all-round education is due to the realization that the traditional education system was mechanical and focused too much on academics and grades. While those continue to be important, students need a meaningful school experience that impacts their overall development.