What does teaching the whole child mean? First, think about the teachers in your life who really made a difference. The ones who made you feel like you mattered as an individual and who knew the best approaches to teach you.
Consequently, these teachers made learning fun.
These teachers knew how to teach the whole child. They were successful teachers.
Successful teachers know that focusing more on teaching the whole child yields the best results.
Time for Honesty
If I am honest, I don’t like the term “whole child”. It implies that most teachers only focus on part of a child.
I do not think that is true.
What is true is that most teachers have had to focus on the “what”. They know their standards. Furthermore, teachers know what their students must learn in order to be considered proficient at the end of the year.
There is a lot of pressure put on teachers to make sure that kids do well on end-of-grade tests and benchmark assessments.
Teachers have to spend a lot of time focusing on their students’ academic growth.
However, here’s the thing that successful teachers know. Successful teachers know that focusing more on teaching the whole child yields the best results.
Teaching the Whole Child
Teaching the whole child, in simple terms, means supporting and nurturing all areas of a child’s development. Teachers want their students safe, healthy, engaged, and ready to learn.
Teachers who adopt a whole-child philosophy understand the importance of making students feel valued. They work on building trusting relationships.
Moreover, teachers know that students will be more willing to take risks with learning when they feel safe.
Similarly, students will be motivated to participate in class and exert more effort.
Let’s talk more about these successful teachers.
First, these teachers focus on the “who”.
Social-Emotional Learning
These teachers understand that it is important to focus on social-emotional learning, as well as academic learning. The American Institute for Research has a very detailed document that does a great job of explaining social-emotional learning and what it looks like in a classroom.
Basically, teachers help their students develop self-control and self-awareness and learn the interpersonal skills needed to thrive in life.
There are wonderful SEL curriculums that can help teachers with social-emotional learning.
Besides adopting whole curriculums, successful teachers often use read-alouds, journaling, and class meetings as opportunities to incorporate SEL into the regular school day.
Relationships
Successful teachers take the time to develop meaningful relationships with their students. For instance, they learn about their interests in and out of school. They talk to their students and genuinely care about them.
These teachers also cultivate peer connections and work to create a collaborative, supportive classroom environment.
Creating a “class family” atmosphere is an important priority for these successful teachers. Teachers use language that conveys a “class family”, such as saying “our classroom” and not “my classroom”.
Moreover, these teachers nurture relationships with their students’ families. They know family members can be the best asset in helping a student learn.
Whole child-centered teachers communicate often with families. They share positive as well as negative comments. These teachers also provide simple ways for parents to work with their children (i.e. uncomplicated homework that follows a simple weekly routine).
Next, these teachers focus on the “how”.
Instructional Strategies that Support the Whole Child
These teachers still want students to make academic growth. They are successful because they choose strategies that support the whole child and maximize learning.
Interestingly, many of the strategies that support the whole child are also the ones that make learning fun.
Let’s take a look at the strategies found in a whole child-centered classroom.
Hands-On Learning
Students actively learn. They explore, construct, make, and create. They use manipulatives to aid in learning.
The great thing about hands-on learning is that students learn through experience. Thus, they learn by doing.
Another way successful teachers incorporate hands-on learning is by having students play games that provide a meaningful review.
Students love to play games which means they are perfect for practicing new skills in a low-stress way. Furthermore, learning games provide opportunities for collaboration.
Click the image of the game to get the password to a Free Resource Library that contains this game set and many more.
Collaboration
Students have lots of opportunities to work together. They develop social skills in authentic learning experiences.
Partnerships or small groups can be beneficial as students share the workload and capitalize on each others’ strengths. Also, students can brainstorm ideas and work together to complete projects or activities.
Integrated Curriculum
Teachers teach thematically to help students make connections across the curriculum.
Thematic lessons can be based on a particular topic or theme. Teachers tie different subjects together with a unifying thread.
An example would be having a theme around pumpkins.
- Students might read or listen to books about pumpkins.
- They might plant a pumpkin seed and observe its growth.
- Students may also write about their observations or create a fictional story about pumpkins.
- Math practice could involve counting seeds, measuring a pumpkin’s circumference, and graphing who likes pumpkin pie.
This example is very simple but it shows how thematic units can help students make connections across the curriculum.
Problem-Solving
Teachers teach students to investigate, question, problem-solve, and explore the world around them. Therefore, students learn to think critically.
Students are taught to ask questions and find ways to answer these questions.
Choice
Teachers focused on the whole child provide choices throughout the day. Moreover, students feel they have some control over their learning.
Students might choose how they complete an assignment. Such as, writing a response, drawing a picture, or orally presenting.
Flexible seating might be an option. Students might be able to choose where they sit while they work.
Sometimes, teachers can offer the choice between two activities. Perhaps students can choose if they want to read first or complete a written assignment first.
Movement
Physical development is encouraged with opportunities for activity. Often movement is incorporated into learning activities.
Educational sites, like GoNoodle, also provide the chance to move while learning.
Teachers know that movement in the classroom can help reduce student stress and improve student behavior. Students may have a quick stretch, change locations in the room, or really exercise. The point is students are out of their seats and moving.
Global Education
Students learn about the world around them. They learn how to be good global citizens.
Students are naturally curious. Therefore, teachers feed that curiosity by teaching them about other people, cultures, and places.
Teachers add global elements with maps, virtual field trips, video clips, global read-alouds, and guest speakers.
Learning Preferences
Teachers plan lessons that take into account that students have different learning preferences.
Students are encouraged to stretch and grow and try new things. However, a teacher focused on the whole child understands the need to balance comfort with a challenge.
Teachers plan a variety of activities and use a variety of materials to satisfy the unique needs of their unique students.
Students have the opportunity to participate in different learning arrangements. For example, part of the time students may work in a whole group setting, while other times they work in small groups, with partners, or alone.
Teachers constantly consider how their students best learn.
High Expectations
Teachers have high expectations for all students. In addition, all students are challenged and encouraged to take learning risks.
All students are held to high standards. Consequently, they are taught to set goals and pursue these goals.
Variety of Materials
Students use a variety of materials in the classroom. Students often use concrete materials as they participate in hands-on learning. They also use technology as well as various print resources.
In terms of technology, teachers know how to balance hands-on and pencil/paper materials with digital resources.
Teachers are also aware of the best programs and learning sites for reinforcing skills taught in the classroom.
For example, Boom Cards provide a safe way for students to practice skills in a digital format. These two endless bundles are a cost-effective way to meet the various needs of your students.
Simple Routines
Classroom routines are simple and consistent. Therefore, students know what is expected.
Well-thought-out routines are taught from day one and are reviewed frequently.
Students thrive with consistency.
Simple routines extend to all areas of the school day, including homework.
Finally, these teachers remember that students are more than test scores.
Furthermore, these teachers help students understand the “why” of learning.
Self-Worth and Ownership for Learning
First, teachers help students discover and embrace their strengths. They encourage them to do their best. Teachers praise effort but offer constructive feedback for improvement.
Next, teachers urge students to take ownership of their own learning. They teach them how to evaluate their work. They help students understand the importance of education.
Then, teachers offer students chances to revise their work. Consequently, students understand that learning never stops.
Conclusion
Successful teachers know that focusing more on teaching the whole child yields the best results. These teachers create classrooms that are conducive to learning. They intentionally choose strategies and resources that best fit the needs of their students. Most importantly, they know and understand their students.