Embracing the Whole Child
“Education is not the learning of facts, rather it’s the training the mind to think.”
-Albert Einstein
Imagine a place where learning is an active, engaging journey of exploration and discovery. A place where children are given opportunities that challenge their inquisitive minds and nurture creative self-expression. A place where the whole child is considered and academic achievement is attained through the building of each child’s critical and independent thinking skills. At Beth Emet School, confidence and leadership development is built, while character education, ethics, honor, integrity, and ultimately, and the whole child is considered.
Research on embracing the whole child shows that this approach to teaching has a positive impact on human development and student learning. The whole-child approach helps students to reach their full potential and develop a healthy awareness of the world around them. Schools that embrace the whole child teach in settings that support all areas of education, such as academic, social, emotional, physical and cognitive. This way of teaching creates an atmosphere of enthusiasm, where students are motivated to investigate, examine, analyze, and attain outstanding growth, both academically and as contributing members of society.
While embracing the whole-child supports child development, it also serves to nurture all areas of learning and encourages thinking in a safe space. Some ways to successfully incorporate this is by enabling students to share their interests and ideas. This can be done through student-interest surveys and “getting to know you” activities. Once teachers and staff learn about their students and develop meaningful connections, lessons can be tailored to engage their interests, while meeting their needs. This allows for greater academic growth and all-around development.
Now, more than ever before, school communities are working together with families to empower children both inside and outside of the classroom setting. Incorporating the whole-child approach, has been especially supportive for students and families while educating through the Covid-19 pandemic. This approach to teaching fosters natural curiosity, engages learners and enhances their aspirations to discover and learn more.
Through a challenging, academically advanced curriculum and a warm, supportive environment that promotes critical thinking, Beth Emet School recognizes the significance of instilling in its students a healthy awareness of the world around them, and the accountability for taking action to make it a better place. Through embracing the whole child, Beth Emet School engages students both in school and virtually to achieve creative expression, self-esteem, and develop knowledge of Jewish ethics.
