{"id":14147,"date":"2026-02-04T12:45:02","date_gmt":"2026-02-04T17:45:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/teachingstrategies.com\/blog\/the-whole-child-approach-what-does-the-research-say\/"},"modified":"2026-02-06T15:42:46","modified_gmt":"2026-02-06T20:42:46","slug":"the-whole-child-approach-what-does-the-research-say","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/teachingstrategies.com\/blog\/the-whole-child-approach-what-does-the-research-say\/","title":{"rendered":"The Whole-Child Approach: What Does the Research Say?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Discussions on how to\u00a0ensure all children receive high-quality early childhood education\u00a0can sometimes\u00a0create\u00a0a sense of competition between different approaches to teaching.\u00a0Should a curriculum focus on academic rigor<\/a> to prepare children for school, or should it be playful and focused on meeting children\u2019s current developmental needs?<\/p>\n

However, rather than asking whether early learning should focus on academics\u202for\u202fdevelopment, research increasingly shows that meaningful learning happens when these elements are intentionally integrated: when we support the whole child (socially, emotionally, physically, and cognitively),\u202fchildren learn more and are prepared to succeed in life.<\/p>\n

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What Is the Whole-Child Approach?<\/h3>\n

The whole-child approach is grounded in the understanding that children grow and learn in an integrated way, developing across multiple, interconnected domains. The Center for Whole-Child Education at Arizona State University defines whole-child education as<\/p>\n

\u201can approach that prioritizes the comprehensive development of students. It addresses their academic, social, emotional, physical, and cognitive needs, ensuring that every aspect of a child\u2019s growth is supported.\u201d1\u202f\u00a0<\/sup><\/p>\n

In early childhood classrooms, this means that academic learning,\u202fsuch as math, literacy, and science,\u202fis not taught in isolation. Instead, these concepts are embedded within\u202fresponsive relationships,\u202fmeaningful experiences, and\u202fintentional opportunities\u202fthat also support social\u2013emotional, physical, language, and cognitive development<\/a>.<\/p>\n

This approach aligns with what we know from developmental science: all domains of development are interrelated and collectively shape children\u2019s learning and long-term success.2\u00a0<\/sup><\/p>\n

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Whole-Child Curriculum as a Component of High-Quality Early Learning<\/h3>\n

Implementing curricula that intentionally address the learning and development of the whole child is a key\u202fcomponent\u202fof high-quality early childhood education. In A New Vision for High-Quality Preschool Curriculum\u202f(2024), the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine\u202frecommend that, among other things,\u202fcurricula<\/p>\n