Raising Resilient and Adaptable Children through Holistic Learning

There is a growing concern that traditional teaching methods have become inadequate in today’s fast-paced world. Some argue that traditional teaching systems are fixated on facts, figures, and high standardized test scores and not on actual learning itself, leaving children inflexible, passive, and unable to cope with situatshop nfl jerseys best nfl jerseys custom wigs Steelers Jerseys nike air max womens adidas yeezy boost 700 cowboys jersey nike air max terrascape 90 rattan custom jerseys nike air jordan 4 black canvas cheap jerseys 49ers Jerseys nike air maxes 270 best human hair wigs for black females adidas shoes on sale ions that are not described within the walls of their classrooms.

As a result of these concerns, more parents and educators are being drawn to holistic learning frameworks. In contrast to traditional teaching methods that focus on specific subjects, holistic learning emphasizes giving children the capacity to find answers for themselves through experiential learning, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills.

Despite its apparent novelty, holistic learning has been around since antiquity. It can even be argued that the methods of instruction used by most ancient and indigenous cultures have much more in common with modern holistic education than the traditional education frameworks we employ today.

In Singapore, the biggest advocates of holistic learning methods have been international schools, particularly those endorsed by the International Baccalaureate. However, even mainstream schools have embraced some principles of holistic learning, which may signal a wider recognition of the drawbacks of traditional education frameworks.

In this discussion, we’ll explore some of the reasons why holistic education may be more suited for developing children to be more resilient, adaptable, and proactive individuals:

Holistic Learning Emphasizes People Skills and Soft Skills

In contrast to schools that employ more traditional approaches, the best international schools in Singapore that offer holistic learning are likely to teach children a wider array of soft skills and people skills. These skills are unquantifiable traits and abilities that help individuals build relationships with others—an important ingredient in adaptability. These include such skills as active listening, empathy, emotional regulation, and teamwork, to name a few.

Though hard skills may be important, their importance is often defined by the value of existing technologies or market demand. As such, hard skills can easily become irrelevant should technologies and markets evolve. People skills and soft skills, on the other hand, will always be relevant so long as human-based systems exist.

Holistic Learning Teaches Children about Diversity

Holistic education is more focused on teaching children “how to think rather” than “what to think.” As a result, children in holistic learning programs may get regular exposure to different opinions, ways of thinking, experiences, cultures, and values, often divergent from what they are taught at home. This early exposure to different ideas and contexts early on may help children become more empathetic and flexible individuals later in life.

It Builds Self-Respect and Faith in Oneself

Children in holistic education programs are more likely to be confident than their peers in traditional programs. This is an important point for parents to consider, as a child’s confidence can inform how willing they are to take on difficult challenges and overcome adversity. Children with a stronger sense of confidence and self-worth are less likely to give up when presented with roadblocks, something that can positively affect their life outcomes as adults.

Holistic Education Emphasizes Systems Rather than Individual Parts

Traditional teaching systems can be efficient, particularly when the objective is to mold larger numbers of students to fill certain roles within communities. However, the major drawback of these systems is that, without a wider appreciation of the framework where their knowledge exists, they might struggle to understand or appreciate the connections between different concepts.

In contrast, holistic learning encourages a deeper understanding of entire systems. This makes holistically educated students better equipped to connect different ideas that may seem unrelated to their traditionally instructed peers. As such, a holistic education may help children develop creatively and experience a more positive and meaningful relationship with learning.

Holistic Learning May Help Children Regulate Their Emotions

Modern holistic education recognizes the role that emotions play in learning and decision-making. Schools that offer holistic learning may actively teach children how to manage their feelings healthily and constructively. This is in contrast to traditional systems that barely acknowledge the role of emotions, if at all.

The prioritization of emotional regulation in holistic education can help children to better handle the negative emotions that come with setbacks, allowing them to view failures as learning opportunities rather than as deficiencies in their character. This prevents children from resorting to harmful coping strategies, helps maintain good mental health, and may even help them develop into adaptable, emotionally healthy adults.

Why Holistic Learning Matters

It’s now clear that the traditional educational frameworks that we once relied on are no longer sufficient for molding children into future-ready adults. As a result, even mainstream school systems are exploring holistic education methods to ensure that children will have the adaptability and context-sensitivity needed to overcome future challenges.

Schools that employ holistic learning principles have already shown the value of such approaches in molding children to be more flexible and adaptable. By developing tolerance, people skills, a strong sense of self-assurance, systems thinking, and emotional regulation, children become better equipped to succeed both academically and outside of the classroom.

Margarette Lee

Editor, Consultant, Traveler

Want to coach your child in emotional and academic resilience? Look out for our latest parenting workshops and webinars

Seeking professional counselling for your child? Approach one of our child or youth counsellors at TherapySG