Embedded Files
Anticipatory Set: How can I add a whole-child approach of learning to become a more well rounded educator?
What is Whole Child Teaching?
The whole-child approach to learning is to prioritize the child's development and their personal needs in culmination of their academic achievements.
(Nina W., 2019).
The most important aspect of whole child teaching is the relationship you build with your students.
Like in the comic strip to the left, it shows an example of how to foster a relationship with your students.
By showing your students you are a safe and trust worth person you tap into their social and emotional learning.
For students to thrive in a learning environment it's important to meet their needs and that means so much more than making sure they have a sharpened pencil.
This means having access to things like:
secure relationships
health care
nutritious foods
(Darling-Hammond, L., & Cook-Harvey, C. M. (2018)
Why should there be a shift to Whole Child teaching?
Whole-child teaching is important because it’s preparing our students for college, future careers, and their future day to day life. (Lee, J., & Lee, M. (2020)
only 29% felt their school provided a caring, encouraging environment;
less than half reported they had social competencies such as empathy, decision making, and conflict resolution skills (from 29% to 45%, depending on the competency); and
30% of high school students engaged in multiple high-risk behaviors such as substance abuse, sex, violence, and attempted suicide.
(Darling-Hammond, L., & Cook-Harvey, C. M. (2018)
What does Whole Child teaching look like in a classroom?
What does Whole Child teaching look like in a classroom?
be proactive.
celebrate diversity.
provide guidance.
support differentiated learning.
create a safe space.
(Nina W., 2019).
How this was shown in my life?
How this was shown in my life?
When I was a kid, I felt my first major form of trauma in fourth grade. That sounds dramatic but my life quite literally was turned upside down. One day my brother and I got picked up from school by my grandmother. I've always been able to tell when something is wrong. But my grandma was trying to keep us distracted till we got home. She sat us down and let us know that my mom had a heart attack and at the time they didn't know if she would make it. After finding this out my grandmother kept us for a week or 2 while my mom was recovering. In that time, I had a teacher named Mrs. King. When I tell you the first day, I went back to school she met me at the classroom door and hugged me like I was her own child. For the rest of that school year, she would check on me and my brother. She would sit me on her lap and let me talk about anything I needed to talk about. At the end of every day before my grandmother came to get me, she would give me the tightest hug and tell me how much she loved me. I say of this to say if Mrs. King did form a relationship with me. My focus would have suffered, my grades would have suffered, and emotionally I would have been a wreck.
References
Darling-Hammond, L., & Cook-Harvey, C. M. (2018). Educating the Whole Child: Improving School Climate to Support Student Success. Learning Policy Institute.
Jennings, J. L., & Bearak, J. M. (2014). “Teaching to the test” in the NCLB era: How test predictability affects our understanding of student performance. Educational Researcher, 43(8), 381-389
Lee, J., & Lee, M. (2020). Is “whole child” education obsolete? Public school principals’ educational goal priorities in the era of accountability. Educational Administration Quarterly, 56(5), 856-884.
Noddings, N. (2005). What Does It Mean to Educate the WHOLE CHILD? (cover story). Educational Leadership, 63(1), 8–13.
Scherer, M. (Ed.). (2009). Engaging the whole child: Reflections on best practices in learning, teaching, and leadership. ASCD.
What is Whole-Child Learning (and Why Is It Important?). (n.d.). Www.goguardian.com. Retrieved February 15, 2023, from https://www.goguardian.com/blog/what-is-whole-child-learning-and-why-is-it-important#:~:text=The%20whole-child%20approach%20to%20learning%20is%20a%20teaching
What does SEL mean?
a. Second Education Learning
b. Scared Eating Later
c. Social Emotional Learning
d. Standards Enginuity Language
What percentage of schools feel they provide a caring and encouraging environment?
a. 10%
b. 50%
c. 35%
d. 29%
Answers
What does SEL mean?
a. Second Education Learning
b. Scared Eating Later
c. Social Emotional Learning
d. Standards Enginuity Language
What percentage of schools feel they provide a caring and encouraging environment?
a. 10%
b. 50%
c. 35%
d. 29%
Conclusion
Conclusion
The whole-child approach to learning is to prioritize the child's development and their personal needs in culmination of their academic achievements. As an educator it's important to provide a safe space for kids to grow emotionally and academically. How can you add this approach to your pedagogy as an up-and-coming educator?
Page updated
Report abuse