How to Take a Holistic Approach to Education With a Master’s in Educational Therapy
Traditional approaches to education focus on skill acquisition and academic milestones. However, this approach can leave students disconnected from their learning. In contrast, a holistic approach to education centers the whole child and can improve engagement and retention.
By integrating social and emotional learning, educational therapy techniques, and experiential learning, holistic approaches offer extensive benefits. A Master of Arts in Educational Therapy can develop the skills to wholistically support learners.
What Is a Holistic Education?
Holistic education is a teaching philosophy that encourages an all-encompassing view of learning. This teaching approach dates back to the 1980s, when early proponents argued for blending intellectual, emotional, physical, and social approaches to learning.
In “Transforming Education for Holistic Student Development,” its 2022 report on global education systems, the Brookings Institution identified six areas, or dimensions, of holistic student development:
- Intellectual development
- Emotional development
- Social development
- Physical development
- Cultural development
- Moral development
In practice, holistic learning prioritizes balance, connectedness, and inclusion. Highlighting the connection between individuals and the broader world, including the natural environment and communities, emphasizes interconnectedness. The philosophy combines experiential learning, also called “learning by doing,” with broad assessments beyond traditional tests.
Educators can encourage holistic learning in their curriculum, learning materials, assessments, and classroom structure. For example, inclusive classrooms often feature flexible seating and collaborative learning spaces rather than rows of desks. And inclusive language involves shifting from the term “student” to “learner”. It also sets the tone for how everyone is treated, seen, heard, and respected.
Benefits of a Holistic Approach to Education
Instead of solely focusing on academic skills, a holistic approach to education cultivates well-rounded learners. This approach also supports those with learning challenges, including difficulty reading, attention struggles, or executive function issues. It also emphasizes mental, emotional, and social development, allowing educators to better help students reach their potential.
The benefits of holistic learning include the following:
- Social and Emotional Learning: By integrating a social and emotional perspective into education, a humanistic approach helps students develop strategies to build relationships and manage their emotions. Social and emotional learning strengthen essential life skills, like self-awareness and decision-making.
- Problem-Solving: Holistic learners are encouraged to examine their relationship with their community and nature, helping them expand their perspective and develop creative thinking and problem-solving abilities.
- Student Motivation: Fostering a positive learning environment boosts motivation and encourages learners to feel invested in their education. In addition, self-directed learning encourages curiosity and allows learners to understand their strengths.
- Resilience: A successful learning process requires failure. Through the guidance of their educators, learners develop resilience as they explore the concept of “productive failure.” This can strengthen confidence and encourage growth in learning and real-world scenarios.
- Intellectual Engagement: Learning through memorization can stifle critical thinking. A holistic approach to education can engage students and improve learning by enhancing engagement. For example, class competitions or contests can energize learners and create a stimulating learning environment. This can also help learners showcase their talents.
Strategies for Promoting a Holistic Education
Incorporating holistic learning strategies can increase engagement and retention. The strategies below can help teachers, educational therapists, and other educators promote holistic learning.
Learning Outside the Classroom
Hands-on experiences outside the classroom foster well-rounded learners. Community-based learning encourages learners to connect with their local community, developing a sense of interconnectedness. Also known as place-based learning, this strategy may include volunteering in the community, creating public art, or restoring natural spaces.
In addition to experiential learning in the community, a holistic approach integrates art, music, physical education, and other subjects outside the core curriculum. Science laboratories and the library offer valuable learning spaces within the school. Even within the classroom, moving away from a top-down structure in which rows of desks face the teacher benefits learners.
Educational Therapy
Holistic educators focus on not only their students’ academic needs but also their emotional and social needs. Educational therapy is a valuable tool for fostering well-rounded learners. Through observation and individual assessment, educational therapists identify areas for growth, including critical thinking and social skills.
By helping students strengthen essential life skills, educational therapy also improves academic learning. An educational therapy approach can also identify barriers, such as reading or attention challenges, that prevent students from reaching their full potential.
Project-Based Learning
A project-based approach to learning encourages student engagement and collaboration. Allowing learners to select projects develops agency and ownership. By aligning projects with real-world problems, student engagement and motivation increase.
This interdisciplinary approach develops problem-solving and critical thinking skills. Research shows that project-based learning results in higher long-term retention than traditional methods.
Similarly, inquiry-based learning shifts from passive approaches to active learning. For example, students may investigate a natural phenomenon, develop hypotheses, and test their ideas to discover new information. This approach encourages knowledge building and works well in experiential learning environments.
Student-Centered Assessments
Holistic learning benefits from a flexible approach to assessing student competencies. Rather than restricting assessments to written responses or in-class exams, holistic learning encourages learners to demonstrate their knowledge in various ways.
For example, students may use visual materials, develop a game, or choose an interdisciplinary project to showcase their knowledge. This helps students develop ownership over their learning. Student-centered assessments provide valuable insights in educational therapy settings. They offer a broader view of learner strengths and areas for improvement.
Implement Holistic Approaches to Education With a Master’s in Educational Therapy
Educational therapy develops the assessment skills and intervention techniques needed to support learners in a holistic way. Earning a Master of Arts in Educational Therapy at Notre Dame de Namur University can prepare you for careers in this critical field. The online program offers a flexible format designed for working professionals.
In the program, graduate students expand their skills and gain clinical practice experience. NDNU also offers an accelerated track for Special Education teachers. Fill out the form below to learn more about the online master’s in Educational Therapy program.
Recommended Readings
Deciding on the Best Master’s in Education Programs
How Long Does it Take to Get a Master’s Degree in Education?
What Does an Educational Therapist Do?
Sources:
Brookings Institution, “Transforming Education for Holistic Student Development”
Helpful Professor, “Holistic Education: Definition, Benefits & Limitations”
Planbook, 7 Tips to Bring Holistic Learning to Your Classroom
Psychology Today, “How Educational Therapists Can Unlock Student Potential”
Relocate, Why You Should Consider a Holistic Approach for Your Child
Sustainability, “Can Holistic Education Solve the World’s Problems: A Systematic Literature Review”