Whole Child Approach

The Whole Child Approach is thinking of children beyond academics in the classroom. All children have their own unique experiences mentally, physically, social-emotionally, cognitively, and academically. Everyone has their own unique identity. Teaching to the whole child means you get to know the children so that as a teacher you can create curriculum to fit each child's needs based on current and past experiences.  

Stick figure of a boy labeled 
Whole Child Education, Arrow 
pointed at head labeled cognitive,
Arrow pointed at arm labeled
social, Arrow pointed at smile
labeled emotional, Arrow pointed
at leg labeled physical 

In this blog, I will talk about the advantages of the whole child approach within a learning environment. The main goal of the whole child approach is to meet children where they are at. This approach develops build quality relationships between both student and teacher. In order to achieve this approach as a teacher you have to build relationships with your students and get to know them. This process only works if you truly understand the nature of each child. Children tend to be more open with those they trust and feel safe around. One of the advantages of the whole child approach is that it allows teachers to teach in a developmentally appropriate way. By knowing each child you can change the curriculum in order to better assist children who may struggle, just need extra guidance or need challenged. Another advantage of the whole child approach is that it fosters all areas of development. Children may need help self-regulating or expressing themselves. The whole child approach does not just focus on academics; it focuses on the long term benefits of children. It also allows children to learn life skills and qualities that can not be measured by a test. A third advantage is that it sets up the path for children to become happy, engaged, safe, and challenged adults. The whole child approach allows children to be productive in their own learning. This approach allows children to understand the world around them, build relationships, while also strengthening their academics in a developmentally appropriate way.