Teaching and learning approaches are always evolving and it can be so easy to get caught up with all those new ideas and techniques and we forget about the basics.
Child development basics are crucial. That’s why teachers and early childhood educators are being encouraged to focus on a ‘holistic approach’ to learning.
In fact, The Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) of the Australian Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR) encourages Early Childhood Educators to focus on the holistic approach, rather than traditional academic milestones of intelligence.
Sounds great, right? But in practical terms, what does ‘holistic development’ mean?
What is holistic development?
Holistic development refers to the comprehensive growth and maturation of an individual across multiple dimensions, including physical, emotional, social, cognitive, and spiritual aspects. It emphasises the interconnectedness of these areas and the importance of fostering balanced development to create well-rounded individuals.
Holistic development aims to nurture the whole person rather than focusing on just one aspect of growth. That is, learning through basic interactions with the natural world — by providing opportunities for sports, arts, music, dance, critical thinking, creativity and challenges, risk-tasking to promote physical, social, and cognitive development by incorporating diverse subjects and teaching methods, emphasising experiential learning, to foster teamwork, leadership, and self-expression. Most of us learn best when we are feeling motivated and inspired, and children learn the same way!
Jumping in puddles, playing in the mud, building sandcastles and finding insects is more than just play. It’s how kids learn about themselves in the world. And all technical speaking aside, this is essential what being a kid is all about exploring and discovering!
By focusing our attention on the connectedness of a child’s mind, body and spirit, we’re embracing their real and authentic development — regardless of culture, socio-economic background, gender or age.
What are the five aspects of holistic development?
There are five aspects of development that the holistic approach aims to support in a balanced way:
- Physical development is where children learn about their growing bodies, develop motor skills, coordination, and take part in activities that contribute to their overall physical health and well-being.
- Social development encourages children to engage with others, develop social skills, empathy and cooperate with others. This helps young minds establish positive relationships within their family, peer group and community.
- Intellectual development involves the child’s cognitive growth — so, thinking, reasoning, problem-solving, and learning new facts and concepts.
- Emotional development is the nurturing of a child’s ability to understand and manage their feelings, become independent, resilient and create healthy relationships.
- Spiritual development speaks to the formulation of the child’s own personal set of values, moral codes and identity. It’s about supporting the development of their personality, beliefs, and purpose from an early age.
Why is holistic development important for children?
When children have great experiences with curiosity and exploration, it helps them develop a positive attitude towards learning that can stay with them throughout their lives.
This has flow-on effects in all five aspects of development, which contributes to their overall confidence, self-esteem, and lifetime relationships, and lays a solid foundation for their personal and academic growth.
What is an example of a holistic approach in childcare?
Taking a holistic approach in childcare means paying close attention to each child’s physical, social, emotional, intellectual and spiritual interests and behaviours.
Whenever a child takes a natural interest in interacting with something or doing a certain action, the carer will notice and encourage learning through this interest. For example, if a child starts to show that they like to act things out, a holistic carer might create fun scenes to act out from scenes in a real world scenario, so they plan and learn at the same time!
How can I support holistic development?
Whether you’re an educator, teacher, teacher aide or parent, here are a few quick tips on how you can support and encourage holistic development in a child’s early years.
Ask open-ended questions
Learning is experimental. By asking open-ended questions, you’re contributing children’s cognitive development by allowing them to think for themselves and explore their thoughts rather than giving a simple ‘yes’ or ‘no’ answer.
Build strong and trusting relationships
Children engage and communicate better when they can connect with people they trust. By building a strong relationship with a child, you’re contributing to their social development. This helps to create a safe, supportive community and improves connections between children, parents and other educators.
Identify the child’s interests
Understanding children’s interests and motivations will help guide them to discover their identity, values and purpose — that is, it contributes to their spiritual development. When you identify an interest, you can take a small idea and expand on it, using it as an opportunity for learning and encouragement.
Create an engaging and inviting environment
Create a comfortable and safe environment for children to connect and be themselves. Make it inviting with the use of colour, child-friendly furniture, interest corners, and areas for individuals, small groups, and creative play.
Supporting children to learn in harmony with their unique personalities and abilities is so important for well-rounded development. The value of holistic development is receiving loads of recognition throughout the education industry, and the ‘hands-on’ approach is now increasingly favoured by teachers, teacher aiders, and early childhood educators across Australia.
Holistic development recognises that every individual is unique and complex, requiring a multifaceted approach to nurture their full potential. By addressing all dimensions of development, holistic approaches aim to create well-balanced, resilient, and fulfilled individuals.
Have you got a passion for nurturing and supporting children to get the best start of their life? If you want to take your interest in early childhood development to the next level, AXIS Institute offers a range of nationally recognised courses in Early Childhood Education, including specified unites that foster holistic development in early childhood.
Find out more about our Early Childhood Education & Care courses
Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care
Learn everything there is about a child’s holistic development by enrolling in our CHC30121 Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care (CRICOS Course Code: 111870H)
This course will help you understand the basics of early childhood care for kids of all ages. Learn how to provide a healthy environment for children to learn and play, while applying approved learning frameworks that will guide you and help build positive relationships with children.
Learn more about our Certificate III in Early Childhood Education & Care
Diploma of Early Childhood Education & Care
Do you have a long term goals to own a family fay care centre, or running and managing a childcare centre?
If so, you’ll need to start by getting qualified!
In addition to practical placements, this CHC50121 Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care (CRICOS Course Code: 111868B) equips you with all the skills and know-how to lead a team of childcare educators, get accreditation, meet licensing requirements, and equip yourself to lead and manage a childcare centre.
Learn more about our Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care
Our childcare courses, available at both Brisbane and Parramatta campuses, combine both practical training with comprehensive classroom learning. This approach moulds you into a versatile childcare professional, ready to start your career journey.
Curious about how our childcare courses work? Get in touch
Call our Brisbane campus at – 07 2102 3553 – Call our Sydney campus at – 02 8358 7277 or fill out this form