By: Malak Tariq
“Children are like wet cement. Whatever falls on them makes an impression.” – Haim Ginott
Parents are the foremost and everlasting influences on their children. They are breathing impressions for their children from the cradle to coffin! Yet in today’s world, virtual reality springing from our devices is another integral influence on our minds. It is the relationship, attitude and behavior of parents coupled with media and marketing which are shaping the self-image of children!
In this scenario, mainstream education imparted in schools by teachers definitely holds a pivotal spot but the four walls of a classroom echoing with syllabus bound curriculum are not the only centers of learning!
The 21st century stands on real-time challenges and skills. While Algebra might help in excelling in math papers, life gives lemons which need experiences and learning in the practical ambit! Learning that engages the mind, body and spirit is what fosters enlightenment, creativity and responsibility.
This kind of learning has a name, root and branches too. It is Holistic Learning!
In today’s world, children are in a constant race. Whether it is the effect of academic workload laced with extracurricular activities or the psychological impact of gleaming social media feeds and loud online games, they undergo all these phases time and again. Thus, we need a different approach to education that helps children in excelling not only in Logarithm but Life. Holistic learning is the foundation that approaches teaching as the focal point of academics and social needs of students. The educators of holistic learning engage the mind, body and spirit of students to enhance four pivotal elements:
Creativity
Critical Thinking
Collaboration
Communication
Image reference: Holistic Learning
Main Approach of Holistic Learning:
The main approach of holistic education is Connection. Educators of Holistic learning communicate with teachers, parents and children and connect deeply through workshops, curriculums, programs and activities.
Holistic Learning strengthens a child to analyze problems critically before dealing with them. Students feel a sense of responsibility and confidence as they take charge of their actions. Students start realizing their abilities and work on their strengths which reduces violence, comparison and self deprecating behavior. Academic skills also get chiseled with personality development as thinking fills with creativity, open mindedness and exploration.
ONE SUCH PLATFORM: KAKSHA LEARNING
Kaksha Learning is a platform co-founded by Anam Majeed and Tarini Khurana that creates comprehensive and rigorous curricula for novels, short stories and other media that are deeply rooted in experience based learning. Kaksha aims to build: knowledge, skill, mindsets, values, awareness and expression.
All these values make learning fun and holistic. Kaksha Learning runs online classes for students based on their well crafted curriculum and uses the revenue generated to support their non-profit side which creates curriculum and gives it to educators in low-income schools for free or at subsidized rates using a pay as you can model. At Kaksha Learning, books are the beacon of opening the doors to great ideas. Holistic learning, therefore, is a journey of self visualization which transcends academics and translates into social, emotional, ethical and critical needs of students! Holistic learning is the practical path from writing equations in notebooks to applying enlightenment in lives!
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