How Schools Can Help Break the Cycle of Poverty: A Whole Child Approach
More than 16 million children in the United States-nearly one out of four-live below the federal poverty level with their families earning less than $23,550 annually. These low-income households face many challenges, from lacking economic resources, to little or no access to health and wellness care. Children raised in poverty often have to go without critical basics such as a well-balanced meal or reading glasses, putting them at a severe disadvantage when they enter school. At Milton Hershey School, we’ve crafted an effective model for educating the whole child.
What is the Whole Child Approach?
The Whole Child Approach is an educational philosophy focused on the holistic development of children, addressing their physical, emotional, social, and cognitive needs. Emerging in the late 20th century, it highlights that academic achievement alone is insufficient for a child’s overall growth. Key principles include fostering a sense of belonging, emotional well-being, active engagement in learning, and healthy relationships. This approach recognizes the uniqueness of each child and tailors educational experiences accordingly. By promoting resilience, social skills, and emotional intelligence, the Whole Child Approach prepares children for both academic success and life challenges. At MHS, we are dedicated to implementing this philosophy in our programs to support the comprehensive growth of every child.
Benefits of Employing a Whole Child Approach
Employing a Whole Child Approach in education offers significant benefits, notably increased student engagement and motivation. By addressing the social, emotional, and academic needs of each child, educators can create personalized learning experiences that foster belonging and active participation. Research shows this approach improves academic outcomes and nurtures critical thinking and creativity, promoting a lifelong love for learning. Additionally, it emphasizes a supportive and inclusive school environment, encouraging collaboration among educators, families, and the community. This inclusivity enhances respect for diversity, social skills, empathy, and resilience, leading to better relationships and reduced behavioral issues within the school.
Key Components of the Whole Child Approach
The Whole Child Approach emphasizes nurturing every aspect of a child’s development to ensure they thrive academically, socially, and physically.
- Social and emotional well-being. Children who feel secure and supported in their relationships are better equipped to manage stress, engage with peers, and develop resilience. By fostering a positive environment, educators and caregivers can help children build essential social skills and emotional intelligence.
- Cognitive and academic growth. This component focuses on providing children with a rich and stimulating learning environment that encourages curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking. By integrating engaging activities and hands-on experiences, educators can inspire a love for learning that extends beyond the classroom. The Whole Child Approach in education recognizes that academic success is not solely based on test scores but also on a child’s ability to think critically and solve problems effectively.
- Physical health and safety. These are paramount in the Whole Child Approach. A child’s physical well-being directly impacts their ability to learn and engage with their environment. Ensuring that children have access to nutritious meals, regular physical activity, and a safe learning environment is essential for their overall development.
By prioritizing these aspects, we can create a holistic framework that supports the diverse needs of all children, fostering their growth into well-rounded individuals.
Implementing the Whole Child Approach in Schools
Implementing the Whole Child Approach in education involves a commitment to support academic, social, emotional, and physical development. Educators can use strategies like differentiated instruction and social-emotional learning (SEL) to create an inclusive and engaging environment for all students. Collaboration with families and communities is crucial; schools should involve parents through communication and events to understand each child’s unique needs. Utilizing community resources can further enhance student well-being. Additionally, measuring success through assessments o f academic and emotional growth, along with regular feedback from stakeholders, helps schools refine their approaches to better meet the holistic needs of students and foster a thriving community.
Resources for Whole Child Education
For more than 100 years, Milton Hershey School has helped children to realize their full potential by offering a top-notch education to students in pre-kindergarten through 12th grade from income-eligible families.
The white paper, “How Schools Can Help Break the Cycle of Poverty: A Whole Child Approach” provides insight into:
- How schools can achieve classroom success for students by providing basic health and wellness resources.
- How educators, health professionals, and poverty and social justice advocates have a role to play in increasing awareness and acknowledging the specific challenges children from poverty face.
- How more research into the psychological and behavioral needs of children from poverty, especially on the effects of stress on young children, needs to be conducted to guide the development and implementation of successful school-based programs.