It’s Time to Support the Whole Learner.
Whole Learner Education recognizes that children and young people have a range of skills that need to be developed (physical, social, creative, cognitive, and emotional) — and takes a holistic approach to learning and development.
Think about all the different challenges and opportunities children and young people encounter. Right now, there’s a big gap between the skills and knowledge every child and young person needs to navigate today’s world, and what kids are experiencing in our classrooms. Whole learner education meets that reality head on by ensuring that every child has the opportunity to develop across every skill set and the supports needed to thrive.
WHOLE LEARNER IN ACTION
A great example of how whole learner approaches help develop a range of connected skills is the exercise of creating a duck using six LEGO bricks. Making a “duck” with a common set of LEGO pieces with thousands of possible configurations not only creates an amazing range of ducks, but fosters physical coordination, emotional regulation, cognitive ability, and creative persistence.
The takeaway: there’s no one set way to help a child reach their potential, but high-quality, whole learner experiences give every child the chance to learn, grow, and thrive.
WHY WHOLE LEARNER MATTERS
“As a former kindergarten teacher, I know the importance of whole learner approaches to a student’s mental health and their overall success. Whole learner takes into account the whole child, not just their academic success. Students of all ages are facing so many mental health challenges, including the ongoing effects of the pandemic and the increase in gun violence. As a teacher, I saw how these challenges affect a child’s ability to show up as their fullest selves and to grow both academically and as a human.”
