Why is holistic development necessary for children before formal schooling?

ATK
New Delhi [India], July 7: Are you a new parent and are worried about how your child grows or what kind of an individual he/she becomes? I am sure you are. All of us are. We want our children to develop into compassionate, empathetic, smart and intelligent people. This is called holistic development of an individual and yes, these traits can be developed, if we start focusing on them in a child's formative years itself. But if we emphasize only on our child's academic abilities, we will lose out on our opportunity to shape their skill set holistically. With time they will learn it on their own but not to their full potential. Now that we know that holistic development in a child is necessary, let's see how we can do it.
My Version
Are you a new parent who is concerned about your child's development or the kind of person he or she will become? I am confident you are. Each of us is. We want our children to become compassionate, empathetic, intelligent, and creative individuals. This is referred to as an individual's holistic development, and sure, these traits can be developed if we begin focusing on them during a child's formative years. But if we only focus on our child's academic skills, we will miss the chance to shape their skill set holistically. They will eventually master it on their own, but not to their fullest capacity. Now that we understand the importance of a child's holistic development, let's examine how to achieve it.
Importance of holistic development in childhood
The big, joint Indian family concept has diluted and nuclear families with four or five members is a new norm now. Earlier, kids used to hear stories and learn gardening from grandparents, play with cousins and siblings, spend time with nature, and do a lot of activities that we don't do today. This ensured their overall development to some extent. Now that we have transversed into a modern culture of fast-paced lives, we seldom do such activities. Hence, our kids end up growing only academically.
The concept of the large, joint Indian family has diminished, and nuclear families with four or five members are now the norm. In the past, children listened to stories and learned gardening from their grandparents, played with relatives and siblings, and spent time in nature, among other activities. This contributed to their overall growth to some extent. Now that we have transitioned into a fast-paced modern culture, we rarely engage in such activities. Thus, our children only develop academically.
But for modern problems come modern solutions. Now, there are preschools for our kids that go beyond academic learning. Their approach includes social, emotional, physical, mental and intellectual growth of a child. I have come across one such preschool in Gurgaon -
. Their campus is huge and adorned with vibrant colors that please kids. With a kids friendly ecosystem, Imperio has a lot of activities to attract kids that eventually help them develop cognitive skills. Amphitheater, sensory play, discovery room, role play area, gardening section and settling area are some of the attractions at this preschool. Their mission is to "stimulate a child's own desire to learn and to ignite the latent potential by giving them the opportunity to develop holistically in head, heart and hand, and in a fascinating, yet safe environment."
Nevertheless, modern problems require modern solutions. There are now preschools for our children that go beyond academic instruction. Their approach considers a child's social, emotional, physical, mental, and intellectual development. Imperio Schools is one such preschool in Gurgaon that I have discovered. Their vast, child-pleasing campus is adorned with vibrant colours. With a kid-friendly environment, Imperio has many activities that attract children and help them develop cognitive abilities. This preschool features an open amphitheatre, sensory play, discovery room, role play area, horticulture section, and settling area. Their mission is to "ignite a child's latent potential by allowing them to develop holistically in a fascinating, yet safe environment."
To know more about the programs and learning approach at Imperio Schools, you can visit their
page.
Five Aspects of Holistic Development of a Child
There are five vital aspects of holistic development of a child namely: social, physical, emotional, spiritual and intellectual growth. The learning amalgamation of the five aspects ensures a child's overall wellbeing. Let's know these aspects in detail:
1. Social Development: Interacting with people and being able to communicate better are some important factors in a child's growth.
2. Physical Development: Physical development of a child can be categorized into gross and fine motor skills. In gross motor skills, we mean movements that involve large muscles, such as crawling, walking, or running on our own, whereas, fine motor skills involve using smaller muscles to grasp, manipulate, or draw objects.
3. Emotional Growth: It involves that a child is able to express his/her feelings including anger, happiness, joy, irritation and builds emotional intelligence.
4. Spiritual Growth: This ensures that a child is developing moral values, empathy towards others, and defining his/her personality.
5. Intellectual Growth: If a child is learning language, calculations and is able to do imaginative thinking and developing mental processes, then he/she is growing intellectually.
Challenges Faced in Traditional Education System
Every child is different in the way he/she learns or communicates or plays or even eats. Our traditional education system follows a one-size-fits-all method of imparting knowledge that leaves our kids disinterested in attending schools. The kids need a personalized learning approach which is missing in our education system. The NEP 2020 has also been launched to fill such gaps. Focusing on holistic development in the child's formative years itself will help in mitigating this problem.
Each child is unique in how he or she learns, communicates, plays, and even eats. Our traditional education system implements a one-size-fits-all approach to knowledge transmission, which leaves our children unmotivated to attend school. Our education system lacks a personalized learning approach, which the children require. The NEP 2020 has also been introduced to address these shortcomings. Focusing on a child's holistic development during his or her formative years will aid in mitigating this issue.
How to Focus on the Holistic Development of Your Child?
The intention here is not to bog you down with the concerns of your child's development holistically, but to help you find a solution on how to do it. Preschools are there as a solution for all you parents. Campuses such as Imperio Schools have been launched to help your child discover and explore more, develop empathy, inculcate discipline, learn while playing and not rote learning. It is still a stigma attached in our culture to send our kids to school early but when it is for the betterment of our kids, we need to put a strong foot forward.
The purpose of this article is not to overwhelm you with concerns about your child's holistic development, but to help you find a solution on how to do it. Preschools come as a remedy for all you parents. Campuses such as Imperio Schools were set up to assist your child in discovering and exploring more, developing empathy, instilling discipline, learning through play, and avoiding rote memorization. In our culture, sending children to school early still carries a stigma, but when it is for the benefit of our children, we must take a stand.
(Disclaimer: The above press release has been provided by ATK. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)