I am very excited to share with you our Online 2022/2023 Holistic Curriculum Guide. I am passionate about child led learning and my role as an educator. I have always felt very much inspired by children’s interests and passions.
In playing an active role to provide opportunities for children to learn beneficial life skills, I believe a holistic approach works incredibly well. We all learn better when we are engaged and happy. That is why when I write and release each guide you can be sure to know that it has been inspired by little feet!
This guide will follow the curriculum through our Micro-School, for children aged 5-8 years of age, but it can be adapted for all Primary School aged children.
Each guide can work at your child’s own pace. Our approach makes it flexible and if your child is showing a particular passion in an area, why not explore for longer? This is where we can help children find their spark of ‘genius’ and reveal their true potential!
“If a child is to keep alive his inborn sense of wonder…he needs the companionship of at least one adult who can share it, rediscovering with him the joy, excitement, and mystery of the world we live in.”
(Carson, 2017)
What resources you will find:
- A Creative Guide Plan
- Links to tutorials
- Key resources
- Links to tool and book recommendations
What does the curriculum include?
Our holistic education is about providing opportunities to expand the mind and create a passion for learning. We use a flexible and creative approach, perfect for a holistic flow. The curriculum encourages:
- Exploration & real life experiences
- Opportunity for reflection & curiosity
- Hands on & active learning
- Connection with nature
- Understanding the importance of & practicing wellbeing
- Motivation & inspiration
- Fun & exciting projects where learning is limitless!
Holistic Curriculum Elements
As children begin to experience life itself we can ignite a passion for their learning. As they learn by making connections between experience and what the experience means to them, we can provide opportunities and expand their abilities. Each guide considers the following blend of elements:
Communication & Literacy
Understanding, Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing
Mathematics
Numbers, Numerical Patterns & Geometry
Nutrition & Nature Study
The Natural World
Wellbeing
Movement, Breathwork, Meditation, Quotes/Affirmations
Arts
Imagination, Creative Expression and Inspirational Figures
Experience, Inspiring Artists & Book Recommendations
Understanding the Elements in the Guides
Communication & Literacy
Each guide begins with a focused literature study. After reading the story general discussion of the story or narration from the child can be very powerful. Otherwise refer to ‘Text to Discuss’, whichis a good talking point. Using discussion, narration or ‘text to discuss’, we will be supporting children’s memory, comprehension, organisation, sequencing, and word formation. This will help make the material their own and provide a basis for expressing their knowledge through various mediums as we continue through the curriculum.
Additionally, it is recommended to read books or literature of all kinds on a daily basis. Children should be exposed to and begin reading through a real word, meaningful approach and then connect the knowledge with other reading skills such as phonics.
Creative writing provides an opportunity for children to develop their writing skills and experience an art form. We use real world writing prompts such as storytelling, poems, letters, observations, journaling and notes. Children learn that words have meaning. They are thoughts, feelings and ideas.
Mathematics Mathematics
Similarly to Communication & Literacy, children learn that numbers and shapes have meaning. We use a creative approach making mathematics fun, engaging, tactile and relevant. It is important to secure the foundations of mathematics for children to truly understand mathematics, rote learning is not enough.
“Mathematics is a cultural phenomenon: a set of ideas, connections,
and relationships that we can use to make sense of the world.”
(Boaler, 2016)
As well as creative mathematics activities, children should be exposed to numbers, shapes and patterns in the real word. For example nature, cooking, buildings, signs, money, time, travel, sports and weather.
Nutrition & Nature Study
Nutrition & Nature Study lays the foundations for our science. It teaches children about our connection with nature, appreciation of the world around us, encourage scientific concepts, investigation and a base of knowledge. And it gets everyone outdoors!
“The richness I achieve comes from Nature,
the source of my inspiration.”
(Claude Monet)
Nutrition is essential during childhood to ensure good health, growth, and development. Nutrition education is powerful and we can help children ensure that they achieve a healthier lifestyle through learning about the benefits. It should be an integral part of children’s education. It is important to promote this subject through developing their understanding and knowledge. After all our body is our home and we must look after it.
“The brain cannot do its work well unless
it be abundantly and suitably nourished.”
(Mason, 2017)
Wellbeing
The wellbeing element provides children with positive habits through engaging topics. Research shows that children learn better and are happier when we practice movement, breath work, mediation & relaxation and affirmations. Wellbeing boosts our creativity, health and happiness.
“We are most effective at dealing with life’s challenges when
we’re aware, observant, nonreactive, and nonjudgemental.”
(Kotler, 2021)
Arts & Crafts
Art and crafts provide children with an opportunity to use their imagination and create through a range of artistic mediums. Creative expression is essential for child development and a great place for children to use all their senses with no limits.
Children use art and crafts to build on their observational skills, boost confidence, express ideas and thoughts, develop their imagination and creativity. This is often a time for children to relax and reflect.
Experience, Inspiring Artists & Book Recommendations
At the end of each guide you will find more ideas and links to further your child’s learning.
I hope your child has lots of wonderful experiences on this Holistic Education journey and takes their first step to becoming a passionate life long learner.
I am incredibly excited to be on this journey with you! My heart is full of gratitude knowing that our children will be blessed to receive a holistic education. An education full of opportunity, inspiration, creativity, flow, gratitude and so much more.
Our first Creative Bundle is ready to explore now!
Reach out and let me know how you are getting on.
Sending lots of love,
Seran x
Happy Healthy Juniors