Approaches and Holistic Social Development in Early Childhood

 

With so many changes happening in modern society, it’s hardly surprising to find some shifts in the approach people take when it comes to children’s education and development. In general, many parents in this day and age, together with educational institutions from all over the world, are adopting a more holistic approach to the kids and their learning skills. Essentially, holistic development in early childhood means that the physical, emotional and psychological well-being of a child takes priority before anything else in the system of learning.

The importance of the emotional aspect

These days, the old-school teaching style and educational system cannot survive. After all, children are surrounded by plenty of entertaining and inspirational things to be able to find interest in the crude way of learning. This is why introducing the emotional aspect to early childhood and education can mean a world of difference for the child in question. Finding an emotionally satisfying approach to learning new things and exploring the world encourages the development of a “whole child”, one that will strive to become a happy and fulfilled adult that’s self-aware.

The holistic approach boosts the learning spark

Holistic development in early childhood and education allows the children to take the steps they need at their own pace and embrace the world on their own terms. That said, it’s extremely important to let the children find their own interests and encourage their search for something new, especially knowledge-wise, in a way that they can feel comfortable with.

It’s perfectly fine to let kids think for themselves, form their own opinions and practice their cognitive skills. This is the key to strengthening the child’s self-confidence and their ability to differentiate right and wrong. There’s also the development of creative thinking which will happen naturally when kids are allowed to explore the world in their own fashion. Of course, parents and teachers have to be the guides in early childhood without pushing too many limits on the child. Such an approach to development and education will definitely result in an increased interest in learning in general.

Encouraging vs. imposing

With the possibility to find a top-quality learning centre today, many parents choose to nurture their child’s interests so that they can make sure the child grows up to be a confident and wholesome person who knows their own value in life. After all, individuality is extremely important in raising children in this day and age, especially in Western cultures.

However, even though the Eastern value system took education as a one-way street that requires the kids to do as they are told, these days, a shift to the holistic approach and social development that encourages individuality is more than apparent. That said, it’s not difficult to find a great education centre in Hong Kong nowadays which will surely be a place that nurtures the child’s personality and skills instead of imposing the values of their elders on the young generation.

Improved interaction with others

 

The way we treat our kids in early childhood won’t only affect their ability and interest to learn and explore or develop cognitive thinking. It will also influence the way they interact with other people. In general, children who are treated with respect in terms of their own physical, emotional and psychological well-being from day one are more likely to be open, friendly and social than their peers who are used to “imposed” learning, habits and interests. But that’s not all; kids, who are raised with a holistic approach in mind, whilst becoming more self-aware and open to socializing, also develop the ability to choose better company for themselves quicker and more effectively.

Socialization in early childhood is extremely important as kids need to be faced with different personalities and learn how to treat others in their life. Every learning centre nowadays should, therefore, also strive to boost the socializing aspect of the child’s development, and not just the cognitive thinking and educational bits. After all, as mentioned, the “whole child” can be whole only if they’re fulfilled in all aspects of their being, which, obviously, includes socialization.

Even with the cultural differences between the West and the East, the holistic approach and the social development in early childhood are taking more priority in kids’ education every day globally. The emphasis is on individuality that will allow the children to find their purpose in life easier and grow up to be content and confident. With parents and teachers acting as spiritual guides more than anything else, this approach will definitely make it possible for kids to develop a sense of self, wonder and creativity in early childhood, which is something far more beneficial than strict academic studies with no room for personal involvement.