Holistic Development

Unit 8 Professional Practice

By the end of this lesson we will have a clearer understanding of Holistic Development.

All of you will have increased knowledge of holistic development.

Most of you will link holistic development to their placement.

Some of you will be able to think of resources to support holistic development.

Development is holistic, particularly in early years; it consists of interlinking areas.

This means that a child’s development does not necessarily need to be compartmentalised into the seven areas of learning, but can be interwoven showing simultaneous development.

What are the 7 areas of learning?

Early years learning concentrates on 7 areas split between prime and specific areas of learning.

The prime areas of learning are:•communication and language•physical development•personal, social and emotional development

The specific areas of learning are:•literacy•mathematics•understanding the world•expressive arts and design

Teaching is often done through play, where the child learns about subjects and other people through games.

(EYFS,2014)

When one area is progressing, it could affect the other areas either by supporting or dominating. Similarly, when something goes wrong in any one of those areas, it often has an impact on all the other areas.

Holistic development sees the child as a whole person, this means that the child is considered as a unique individual and their development is centered around their personal circumstances.

The development of the child may be affected by many influences, eg family background, economic circumstances, personal health, disabilities, special needs, previous experiences etc

This is important when you are observing because you can look at the development of the child as a whole and see what progress they are making (or not), as you are not concentrating on one particular area of development.

You can get a much rounder view of the child's development and can see how all areas of development are interdependent and influence each other eg a child with speech difficulties (communication) may lack the confidence (emotional) to make friends (social).

When observing a child at play you will see many areas of development taking place, for example a child playing with another child (communication, social) on the climbing frame (physical). 

Scenario

Jake (3 yrs old) is playing with the large wooden construction blocks. Jake is playing alongside two other children.Jake points to a block and asks one child to give him ‘the round one’.The child responds and does as requested…. Jake takes it from the child and says ‘Thank you’.

In your groups, consider which areas of development are evident in scenario 1.

5mins

Group discussion

Jake (3 yrs old) is playing with the large wooden construction blocks (physical development)..what is Jake creating? Links to Understanding of the World? (Mathematical Development)

Jake is playing alongside two other children (parallel play).

Jake points to a block and asks one child to give him ‘the round one’ (Speech, Communication and Language Development). The child responds and does as requested…. Jake takes it from the child and says ‘Thank you’ (SLCD , PSED).

Look at these pictures. Imagine you are required to write an observation linked to them.Which areas of learning are evident? Write down your ideas 10 mins

1 2 3

Watch this clip, observe what is happening..what areas of learning can you make links to?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3f3rOz0NzPc

Discuss task requirements…-Holistic Development….links to practice-observations.

Did we meet our aims?

A bit of fun

Watch the clip.. Think of the areas of learning that are being exercised…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fazWK9yOpbM