5 Ways to Implement a Holistic Approach in Early Childhood Education

Teaching & Learning pattern has evolved over time. Teaching has moved from theoretical, performance-based learning to teaching children the skills that they actually need for life.

The holistic approach as the name suggests covers a wide range of skills, teaching tools, goals & aspirations for children’s learning that extends well beyond academic learning into the fields of social, artistic, physical, spiritual & emotional development of a child.

It creates experiences and opportunities for the kids to explore. It requires the kids to be an active participant and the one which challenges the kids to think critically.

A holistic approach should be given importance since toddler days. Children learn different things at different stages, e.g., crawling, walking, talking, etc.

The biggest benefit of the holistic approach isn’t just about mental development, but it also revolves around the psychological, social, emotional, and spiritual growth of a child.

It helps children to develop their overall skills and build their strengths.

Here are the 5 ways to implement a holistic approach in early childhood education:

1. Literacy Learning

Literacy learning is a fundamental ability of a student to understand and evaluate meaning through reading, writing, listening, speaking, viewing, representing. It acts as the main focus of achievement in all areas of learning as student progress through the early, middle & later years of schooling and into the workforce & personal life.

Literacy development is learning about sounds, words, shapes, sizes, & languages. Literacy is the basis of a child’s ability to read, write, communicate and socialize. A child’s literacy can be developed by communicating with your child, reading, and playing with rhymes, board games, etc.

Early literacy development is very important for children, it is an everyday process. Children can easily learn through simple activities like singing, talking, and playing games.

2. Expressive Art Design

Expressive art plays one of the most important ways to develop a child’s thinking, imagination, creativity, and the ability to use media and materials.

Expressive arts and design help children to explore and play with a wide range of media and materials. It also provides opportunities and encouragement for leveraging their thoughts through art. All these approaches to expressive arts help children to represent and understand their own interests, skills, and ideas which further help in their development.

3. Motor Skills Development

A motor skill is associated with muscle activity; it includes six most important components which are agility, balance, coordination, power, reaction time, and speed.

A motor skill is an action that allows the child to use his/her muscles for a movement. There are two types of motor skills:

• Fine Motor Skills
• Gross Motor Skills

Fine motor skills are the small movements, for instance, synchronization of hands and fingers with eyes. It starts when a kid is still a toddler and aid in the growth of intelligence and develops continuously throughout the growing up stages.

Gross motor skills are the larger movements in which a child’s arms, legs, feet, and mostly the entire body are involved. For instance, crawling, running, jumping, dancing, playing, are Gross motor skills.

Motor skills allow children to gain strength and confidence in their bodies and image. It also helps them to focus on their well-being. Giving importance to develop these skills help children to do deal with more complex skills in the future.

4. Sensory Development

Sensory development begins during gestation and continues throughout childhood. Infants discover their world through the senses. The senses are categorized as external and internal senses. The five familiar external senses are sight, smell, taste, hearing, touch, etc.

One of the best ways to develop sensory skills is to use contrasting tastes and smell to raise a child’s awareness of the sense of taste. You can their interest in food, feeding skills, and give them an opportunity to express preferences. Offer them a bit sweet to smell, lick, or taste and note their reaction.

5. Speech & Communication

Speech and Communication is another major skill that a child needs. Speech must be clear & concise, and the articulation of words should be proper for easy understanding.

Communication skills allow the children to express themselves clearly and confidently in all aspects and areas of their life.

The best way to improve and develop speech and communication among children is to read, talk, play music, tell stories, etc. It is also important to correct your child’s articulation if they are wrong by being a good listener.