You may hear the term “whole child” batted around at your school
or in the educational setting where you work. It sounds good; something easy to
support just by nature of the words involved.
However, you may find yourself asking: “What does ‘whole child’ actually
mean?” Ask any group of teachers or administrators this question and you will
receive a variety of answers. You may hear references to social and emotional
learning, physical activity, nutrition, or alternative learning environments. All
of these elements are part of whole child education, but there is much more. So,
if your colleagues say that they are supportive of Whole Child Education, what are
they really saying?
The ASCD defines Whole Child as an approach “to
transition from a focus on narrowly defined academic achievement to one that
promotes the long-term development and success of all children.” Additionally, ASCD’s Whole Child framework
focuses on five primary
tenets, envisioning that each student attending school will be:
Supported - Students have
access to personalized learning and are supported by qualified, caring adults.
Challenged - Students are
challenged academically and prepared for success in post-secondary learning,
future employment, and participation in a global environment.
Healthy - Students enter
school healthy, and learn about and practice healthy lifestyles.
Safe - Students
learn in a physically and emotionally safe environment.
Engaged - Students are
actively engaged in learning and are connected to the school and broader
community.
Through
this approach, ASCD supports educators, families, community members, and
policymakers as they move from a vision about educating the whole child to
sustainable, collaborative actions. Schools supported by their community with
coordinated policies and practices that prioritize any or all of the five
tenets see greater academic performance and engagement among all of their
students. This coordinated approach includes partnerships and strategies that support
student learning throughout the educational system. Ultimately, these
strategies meet each student where they are in learning and life. Students who enter school doors each day
knowing that the adults in those learning environments care about them, see
them for all that they are, and work to meet them academically and personally
to ensure their success in and out of the classroom are able to experience the
five tenets of the Whole Child. They feel that their teachers care deeply about
their learning, not because of assessment outcomes, but instead because
learning means they are better equipped to achieve their individualized goals
and a more fulfilling life.
WHY someone supports the Whole Child is an individual call to
action. We can pull from Simon Sinek’s highly regarded TEDTalk on “How great
leaders inspire action.” (https://www.ted.com/talks/simon_sinek_how_great_leaders_inspire_action)
His message appeals to leaders, including classroom teachers throughout the
state, to focus on answering the question: “What
is your WHY?” Your WHAT may be to provide
instruction in Algebra, assess and mentor new teachers, or even coach
swimming. It is when you know the WHY of
your work that you are able to find meaning and inspire purpose in those around
you – including your students. My WHY is
to ensure that students are provided with optimal learning environments that
are supported, challenged, healthy, safe, and engaged. I encourage you to watch
the video and take a few minutes to reflect about your WHY – and then we should
address our HOW.
Ensuring access to and support for WHOLE CHILD EDUCATION is WHY I
go to work every day. If your WHY includes aspects of health, security,
engagement, challenge, and support for students – you may be a WHOLE CHILD educator.
I hope we can work together to determine HOW to implement it in a
student-centered, inclusive, and equitable way. Here’s a start:
Whole Child
Indicators: http://www.wholechildeducation.org/assets/content/mx-resources/wholechildindicators-all.pdf
School
Improvement Tool: http://sitool.ascd.org/Default.aspx?ReturnUrl=%2f
Teaching the
Whole Child: https://gtlcenter.org/sites/default/files/TeachingtheWholeChild.pdf
Whole Child
Video: http://www.ascd.org/whole-child.aspx
Whole Child Network: http://www.ascd.org/programs/The-Whole-Child/Whole-Child-Network.aspx
The Washington State ASCD brings this same vision to our state
through professional development, leadership, and recognition of model schools
and educators through the Whole Child Awards.
If you know a great educator or school who exemplifies what it
means to support Whole Child Education, nominate them for Washington ASCD’s
Whole Child Award at http://wsascd.org/awards-overview/.
Nominees will be expected to submit a
formal application. Applications will be accepted starting on February 2
through April 13, 2018.
