The Whole Child

It is time to put students first, align resources to students' multiple needs, and advocate for a more balanced approach.

Each child, in each school, in each of our communities deserves to be healthy, safe, engaged, supported, and challenged. We live in a time that requires our students to be prepared to think both critically and creatively, to evaluate massive amounts of information, solve complex problems, and communicate well, yet our education systems remain committed to time structures, coursework, instructional methods, and assessments designed more than a century ago. What if decisions about education policy were made by first asking, "What works best for children?" What if the education, health, housing, public safety, recreation, and business systems within our communities aligned human and capital resources to provide coordinated service to kids and families? What if policymakers at all levels worked with educators, families and community members to ensure that we as a society meet our social compact to prepare children for their future rather than our past?

That's what a whole child approach to learning, teaching, and community engagement really is. Our children deserve it. Our future demands it.

Resources

Research proves that students learn best when their academic, emotional, physical, and social needs are met. For each learner to be successful, they must be healthy, safe, engaged, supported, and challenged. Browse our extensive resources section for research, tools, statistics, and guides that can help you move your vision for a whole child approach in your school and community to action.

Video Spotlight

A picture is worth a thousand words. A video is worth a million. Learn more about the Whole Child Initiative. Watch and share our videos.

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Educating the Whole Child: It Matters to Me

Community Conversations

Today's educational practice and policy focuses overwhelmingly on academic achievement. This achievement, however, is but one element of student learning and development and only part of any complete system of educational accountability. Learn more about the Whole Child Community Conversations Project.

Resolution Tool Kit

Please join us in asking policymakers in your community to support a resolution that addresses these five basic needs. Our rationale is straightforward. If students are to master world-class academics, they need to be physically and emotionally healthy.