What is the basic purpose of higher education or, for that matter, education? Most people believe that learning by heart and getting good grades on tests is synonymous with education. Whereas, it couldnt be far from the truth.
The purpose of education is to help children grow and be ready to face and succeed on the greatest test, called Life! This is the reason why holistic education cannot be overstated enough.
Holistic development means developing a childs intellectual, mental, physical, emotional, and social skills intended to help meet daily lifes demands and challenges. These skills are critical to success in the career arena of everyone. Some of these skills are intrinsic while so some of them can be easily acquired.
Each child is unique. You have your personality traits, interests, preferences, values, attitudes, strengths, and weaknesses. The educational curriculum must help each child find their unique place in the world in alignment with the uniqueness they have. To achieve this, the integral development of a child is of the utmost importance.
What is holistic development?
Holistic development is a thorough pathway to learning intended to help develop all the sides of the human brain. Conventional learning and education systems aim to develop intellectual capabilities only. But holistic growth aims to develop physical, intellectual, cognitive or mental, emotional, and social abilities.
Physical ability includes the development of:
Total motor skills include movement of the entire body like climbing stairs, jogging, and walking.
Psychomotor skills:They refer to a wide range of fine motor movements that occur in response to conscious learning of the five senses, mainly sight, touch, and hearing. For example, painting, cutting vegetables, making a clay model, typing on a computer keyboard, medical surgery, driving, and writing.
Intellectual capacity and cognitive ability include the development of:
The skills to learn from information and experience:this implies learning from data and information; learn by doing an activity.
Abstract thinking skills:understanding and thinking about concepts, ideas, principles, and objects that are not verbal or not physically present.
Comprehension skills:ability to understand and understand written and verbal information.
Logical and analytical thinking skills:analyse the reasons behind events and situations, understand the causes behind an event or situation.
Critical thinking skills:examining concepts, ideas, problems, and issues.
Creative thinking skills:think of newer ways to solve problems; display/think of new ideas.
Problem-solving skills:problem-solving using various concepts and solutions.
Emotional capacity includes the development of:
Intrapersonal Skills:This involves self-understanding [understanding ones strengths and weaknesses, ones capabilities] and self-confidence.
Interpersonal skills:skills to understand others, what others are communicating, and build relationships.
Self-regulation skills:skills to control and regulate emotions and feelings.
Empathy:the ability to understand the feelings and emotions of others.
Social skill includes the development of:
Social competencies:this implies skills to interact and communicate with others, work in a team, coordinate, and cooperation with others. Studies have shown that students can acquire broad, dynamic, and interconnected skills quickly and effectively through fun learning experiences.
Important elements of holistic development
Since holistic development aims to ensure the development of the right and left side traits of a students brain.
Therefore, holistic development strives to improve the below-mentioned faculties:
Language
Language and speech are an integral part of the development process. Today, success largely depends on how a person can speak and convey his/her message effectively. This skill can be acquired and further developed to ones advantage.
One can master multiple languages, which eventually help in ones career. For example, applying for Canada PR and finding a job in Quebec province could become a cake-walk for someone if he/she is bi-lingual, good in English and French.
Social-emotional
Recent work in the education sector requires caregiver training to encourage caregivers to restrain their young minds and understand their rampant and inner emotions. As the brain develops, children are overwhelmed by various new and fluctuating emotions such as anger and sadness.
There is a need for help to teach them to take charge of these emotions. Dealing with anger management, susceptibility, depression, and ego helps in healthy social and emotional development. This makes the child more open to the development of other forms related to the holistic approach.
Physical
This is often the most neglected aspect of the holistic development regime. Most Indian parents discourage children from playing a sport and participate in physical activities, more so if the child is female. Many life lessons cannot be learned in the four corners of a classroom or home. Playing a sport is known to increase blood flow in the body.
Increased blood flow to the brain allows children to learn new information and concepts. It is the development of motor skills that enable children to be healthy and hearty. Not only that, children learn to be more aware of their sensory understanding and to recognize their implications for successful execution in the future.
Holistic development is the way of life at MIT-ADT University
MIT School of Humanities [MIT SOH]envisions:
- To impart an education that will shape students personalities to emerge in a global society.
- To empower the students to be critical and independent thinkers for a better understanding of global human conditions.
- To help students better understand the present world situations through critical engagement with the past discourses of knowledge.
- To instil cultural sensitivity in the students.
- To help students harness essential life skills that will prepare them for myriads of career options.
AtMIT Group of Institutions, we have been leading from the front in the holistic development regime for all the students so that when they pass out with their degrees, they are well equipped to handle real-life situations with ease. We have helped 1000s of students realize their life goals through exemplary education and holistic development.
Talk to our career counsellors today!