Holistic development attends to the child’s personality and nurtures it in every dimension: physical, motor, mental, cognitive, emotional, social, spiritual, moral, linguistic, creative and environmental — so that the child grows in an integrated, balanced and healthy way, can continue through life with confidence and security, and is able to achieve success and flourishing in life.
The family remains the best place to apply the principles and foundations of holistic development, because it is a nurturing environment: it gives the child emotional security, social maturity and the ability to build successful relationships, and equips them with essential life skills and the capacity to face life’s situations and challenges with confidence and competence. It does not focus only on academic attainment, excellence and memorising information; it attends to everything that leads the child toward success and flourishing.
Social & Emotional
Concerned with developing emotional intelligence, strengthening the ability to understand and manage one’s own emotions and to empathise with the emotions of others, and focused on developing social skills and building healthy, balanced relationships.
Cognitive & Perception
The dimension connected to mental and intellectual processes. It includes acquiring knowledge, critical thinking, analysis, logic, problem solving, concentration and memory.
Physical
Developing the body and general health through physical activity, developing motor skills (fine and gross), and understanding the importance of nutrition and health.
Creative & Aesthetic
Focused on developing imagination, creative thinking and the ability to express oneself in unconventional ways. It includes appreciating beauty in the visual arts, music, performance and drama, as well as in nature and daily life.
Linguistic & Communication
Focused on developing the skills to communicate effectively using language and other means. It includes listening, speaking, reading and writing, as well as body language and presentation skills.
Spiritual & Moral
This dimension focuses on the meaning of God’s existence, His reality and divinity through His attributes and names. It includes the search for meaning in life, humanity’s responsibility on earth, and the development of self-awareness, conscience, moral principles and values and their importance in life — such as honesty, respect, tolerance, justice and responsibility.
Environmental
Aims to develop awareness of the environment and nature and of humanity’s relationship with them. It encourages respect for living beings and natural resources, and instils the concept of sustainability and responsibility toward planet Earth.
