Comprehensive Guide on Holistic Education: History, Methods, and Benefits

Back in the day, the idea of holistic education was foreign, and students’ education mostly took place within the confines of the classroom, leading to disjointed learning experiences.

Over time, schools began to see the importance of educating students beyond the academic curriculum. As a result, over the last decade, the demand for holistic, 360-degree learning has skyrocketed, prioritizing the all-around growth and development of the students.

In this blog post, we’ll explore how the holistic model of education works, its history, methods, advantages, and how Taurian as one of the top boarding schools in India leverages it to provide improved opportunities for students.

What is Holistic Education?

Holistic education is a philosophy that employs an integrated learning approach to help the development of children’s emotional, intellectual, spiritual, social, and ethical potential alongside their academic skills.

It aims to empower each child to discover their identity, purpose, and significance through community experiences, interactions with nature, and spirituality, including compassion and harmony.

Holistic educational institutions significantly impact future generations by teaching students critical reasoning abilities necessary to tackle real-world problems, cherish healthy relationships, and uphold fundamental human values.

History of Holistic Education

Holistic education has its roots in the ancient Greek and Indigenous cultures, who thought that a well-rounded education should instil not only academic but also moral and physical maturity in its students.

The term “holistic education” is credited to Jan Christiaan Smuts (1870–1950), a South African military commander, statesman, scholar, and philosopher. Smuts was instrumental in establishing the UN and the League of Nations, and he proposed a modern philosophy of education that drew inspirations from ancient Greek philosophies. He defines “Holism” as “the tendency in nature to form wholes greater than the sum of the parts through creative evolution.”

Furthermore, John Dewey, Rudolph Steiner, and Maria Montessori are also recognized as influential figures in the development of holistic model and its pedagogical framework, emphasizing emotional intelligence, creativity, and critical thinking skills.

Methods of Holistic Education

Holistic education includes various teaching methods, such as hands-on activities, creative expression, self-guiding study, and mindfulness practices. For example, holistic education is integrated into the curriculum at some of the top boarding schools in India through classroom projects, outdoor excursions, and social-emotional learning programs, allowing students to work in different groups and explore various learning styles to determine which style best suits them.

Additionally, the assistance of teachers is critical, in allowing students to learn in a way that best fits their needs and at their speed, resulting in these kids acquiring a greater understanding of themselves, their abilities, and their skills.

Several schools are now implementing integrated curricula to enhance students’ cognitive development, wherein instructors from various disciplines collaborate to design courses that address subjects from multiple perspectives.

Advantages of Holistic Education

1. Enhances personal and professional growth: Incorporating a holistic approach in a child’s education yields numerous benefits, such as promoting personal and professional growth and providing students with essential tools for success across various life domains.

2. Improves academic performance: Students’ academic performance improves due to this educational technique for different reasons, the most important of which is being in a secure and connected environment that boosts brain capacity, allowing them to focus more and perform better.

3. Improves mental and emotional health: Holistic education also helps in the development of social consciousness, kindness, and self-awareness—essential attributes in the modern, interconnected world—by encouraging students to confront their feelings and introspect their behaviour. This holds particular significance in CBSE schools in India, where students are expected to excel academically in rigorous coursework and be encouraged to cultivate compassion and maturity.

4. Improves problem-solving ability: Ultimately, students develop a problem-solving mindset by honing their critical thinking skills and applying them to real-world challenges.

Holistic Education in India

Holistic education is becoming more prevalent in India as parents acknowledge its significance for their children’s overall growth, extending beyond mere academic achievement. This type of educational system is quickly becoming an essential part of the course of study at most of the top boarding schools and CBSE schools in India.

One such boarding school is Taurian World School, which has adopted a holistic approach to educating its pupils.

Taurian World School is committed to fostering the holistic development of its students. We offer state-of-the-art facilities and cover all topics necessary to support a child’s all-round development, from academics to the arts to sports to values—preparing them to face the outside world and contribute positively to society.

Connect with us today to know more about what we can do for your child.