Holistic Education: A New Approach to Teaching and Learning Practices

Holistic education focuses on the fullest possible development of the person, encouraging individuals to become the very best or finest that they can be and enabling them to experience all they can from life and reach their goals (Forbes 2003). it is more than the education of the whole student and addresses the very broadest development of the whole person at the cognitive and affective levels. it emphasizes the education of the student beyond the confines of the classroom and moves the concept of a child-centered educational approach to a much more radical programme of education. Holistic education is based on the principle that students find identity and purpose in life by connecting to the community, nature, and humanitarian values. The purpose of holistic education is not only to prepare students for academic success, but to also enable them to learn the challenges of living as a whole (learning about themselves, about healthy relationships, about social responsibility, compassion, etc). The present paper explains the features of holistic approach and characteristics of a critical learner. Also it gives certain implications for student and teacher and sites some advantages of this.