Let us first understand what traditional education and holistic education means.
A traditional education model involves physical interaction between the instructor and students in a classroom. Traditional education is based on the belief that children should be taught in a way that will help them become successful adults while focusing on developing a child’s intellect. It is based on the belief that knowledge is best acquired through memorization and repetition.
An integrated learning approach is a holistic approach to education that addresses the emotional, social, ethical, and academic needs of students. Positive school environment and supporting the child’s educational and non-academic needs are prioritized. Students are often engaged in projects that require critical thinking skills. The holistic approach to education believes that students learn most effectively when they are engaged in hands-on activities.
Now let us look at the difference between a traditional classroom and a holistic classroom:
Children acquire facts and numbers passively in a regular classroom by repeating what is presented to them. The typical classroom relies on a conservative power structure where the instructor sets the rules and the students are aware of what is expected of them at all times. Only when students are allowed to speak they may do so. Competition is encouraged and learning outcomes are the main focus of instruction.
A holistic education-focused classroom, on the other hand, is dynamic. The way the space is set up ensures that the subject is the main focus rather than the instructor. By collaborating, experimenting and engaging in child-focused activities, they make the subject interesting. The process involves research and discovery, and this defines the duration of the lesson taught and is not restricted to the classroom periods. Children are encouraged to learn for themselves, which accentuates the fun of exploration.
The concept of failure is strong in the traditional setup. A child may experience nervousness when the purpose of studying is to pass an exam or to achieve good results.
On the other hand, in holistic education, educators work to prepare students for success in the real world from an early age. Building their confidence is the first step in doing this.
The holistic approach recognises that every child is different and learn in a variety of ways. It does, in fact, highlight and capitalise on these distinctions. Children learn to respect themselves and have faith in their unique talents. Additionally, they gain the perseverance and resilience necessary to overcome challenges. They feel more confident as a result. This provides children with a stronger foundation from which to develop and learn throughout their entire lives, not just in their formative years.
Traditional education places a strong emphasis on memorisation. In these conventional settings, teachers focus on information that the students then repeat back to them in preparation for tests and exams.
Early year’s holistic education focuses on teaching cooperative and collaborative skills, which are necessary in the real world. Children engage in creative activities that promote critical thinking and lifelong learning. For instance, they might work together to construct something. Teamwork is essential since this puts them in a scenario where they must cooperate to achieve a goal.
Is it time to rebuild the old curriculum in this digital age of tough competition for kindergartens? A good answer to this is the holistic strategy. Instead of focusing on just their performances and examinations, it is time to place emphasis on total learning. A child’s personality is developed in a holistic learning environment that also fosters creativity, adaptability and curiosity.
Parents looking for a holistic education school in Tamilnadu would be wise to choose Chettinad Vidya Mandir Karur.