Can a Holistic Approach to Education Help Your Child Learn Better?

Few things are as frustrating as watching your child struggle his or her way through school. They’re putting in the time and the effort — even with your help — yet they’re still not performing their best.

You know that with the right curriculum and attention, you know they could thrive. Good news! There is help available.

Recent studies have shown that children have unique and varied approaches to learning. Accordingly, your child may not fit the traditional school model.

If this sounds like your child, they may benefit from a holistic approach to education.

Read on to learn more about this exciting new approach and how it can help your child succeed.

Taking a Holistic Approach to Education: Changing the way Your Child Learns

Understanding the Approach

Before determining whether your child needs a holistic approach to education, it’s important to understand the philosophy behind it. Holistic education has its roots in the 1800s and was popularized by Ron Miller.

Miller decided that the current education system wasn’t quite getting the job done. Children were learning, certainly, but they weren’t retaining or understanding the knowledge.

His philosophy involved a more engaging and rigorous structure. Children would still learn the basics like reading and writing, but they’d learn it in a different way.

Miller’s system was a hit.

Holistic education as we know it focuses on the development of a child in their entirety, not just their acedemic side. While a standard school will help with rote memory there’s more to development than facts.

Holistic education focuses on factors like home life, socialization, critical thinking, and religion, while helping them connect to their community, earth, and soul. Since a holistic approach to education is tailored, it will vary on the parent’s approach.

A Holistic Approach Gives Your Child the Attention They Need

“Holistic education engages the mind, heart, hands, and spirit of a child.”

At the end of the day, no child is going to thrive and succeed at every single task. Even with hours of homework and practice, children’s brains just work in a way that the traditional school system can’t understand.

For example, your child may enjoy smaller, individualized lesson plans to focus on his or her needs. This is perhaps the greatest strength of a holistic approach.

If your child struggles with writing, for instance, a holistic ed. program will assess your child’s needs and structure a plan around them — not the other way around. You’ll get the tools to write with your child and strengthen their skills. The plan becomes all about a child centred approach, not a pass/fail grade.

Socialization is Still Critical

Make no mistake, a holistic approach to education doesn’t necessarily mean homeschooling. Children thrive on socialization and play, and a holistic education understands that.

If you’re concerned that a holistic education would deprive your child of their much-needed social time, don’t worry.

There are programs and facilities that provide the best of both worlds. Your child can attend a program several days a week where they’ll get social time with friends and peers.

Then, they’ll get homework assignments for the remaining days of the week. They’ll still have the accountability of homework while enjoying a unique education.

Only You Know What Your Child Needs

It’s up to you to decide whether your child could benefit from a holistic education. It isn’t an easy decision and requires a lot of effort on your part, so make sure you’re ready. And if it doesn’t seem right for your child — that’s okay! Remember, learning isn’t a cookie-cutter scenario. Everyone will require different things.

There’s a plethora of information about holistic education available online, including sample curriculum. If you have any questions, opinions, or tips about holistic education, drop us a line below!

Missy Woodruff

Tinybeans Voices Contributor

I'm Missy, a mother of three and a middle school drama teacher at a private school. I'm obsessed with my Vizsla (dog), traveling, and the musical Hamilton. I also enjoy writing and sharing fun parenting stories, which is what brought me here.