The Whole Child

"I will let them be little, fill their hearts with laughter, help them grow wings, nurture heir sense of wonder, inspire them to believe, and love them like there is no tomorrow." --Unknown

Every child is different. No two children learn the same, no two children work the same. This is common knowledge for most educators. Children should not be simply measured based on their academic skills in reading, writing, and math. There are so many dimensions to a child that we should allow that child to be assess in multiple ways.  While reading, writing, and math are all important there is also creative art, science, social studies, emotional, social, and physical developments that should all be tested of a growing child. When building something we do not just assess it by whether it is finished or not. We look at all different aspects of it. Is it level, is it the right dimensions, color, texture, is able to complete the function it was build for. If we do that for something we built then why are we not teaching and assessing children in the same manor.

InformED from Open Colleges has an article entitled Holistic Teaching: 20 Reasons Why Educators Should Consider a Student's Emotional Well-Being. Below are some of those 20 reasons.
1.) Emotions impact Learning
3.) Emotional Health is crucial for success.
4.) Creativity is necessary for innovation.
9.) There are layers of intelligence.
10.) A person's worldview is colored by their emotional well-being.
19.) Emotional well-being as part of the curriculum helps with developing interpersonal skills.
20.) Education will continue to succeed if it takes a holistic approach.

According to the Center on International Education Benchmarking: Learning from the World's High Performing Education System, China's curriculum is broken down into eight learning domains. Language and literacy, math, natural science, social sciences, technology, arts, physical education, and a practicum are the eight learning domains. Children as assessed by taking different examinations at different periods during the year. There are also graduation exams that most be passed in order to go on to the next level. Students that plan to go to college are also required to take a university entrance examination. This exam could have a great impact on the students college future.

Below is a link to a youtube video of a teacher using a whole brain method of teaching. I like this video because of how actively involved all the children all. I hope you enjoy as well.
Whole Brain Teaching: Kindergarten (Expanded!)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yygIwC3PSvk

Reference
Julie DeNeen, October 15, 2012, informED, Holistic Teaching: 20 Reasons why educators should consider a students emotional well-being. http://www.opencolleges.edu.au/informed/trends/holistic-teaching-20-reasons-why-educators-should-consider-a-students-emotional-well-being/

Center on international education benchmark: learning from the world's  high performing education: Instructional System. http://www.ncee.org/programs-affiliates/center-on-international-education-benchmarking/top-performing-countries/shanghai-china/shanghai-china-instructional-systems/