Perspectives: Holistic Education

In a fast and ever-changing world, what are the skills that our children really need, and how can we help support them more?Let’s be honest: much of traditional schooling still feels stuck in a time warp. We are training children to pass tests, memorise facts, and check boxes in a system built for a completely different era. But the real world they are walking into demands something entirely different—emotional resilience, critical thinking, conflict resolution, and, above all, deep human connection.Holistic education isn’t something we can simply outsource to a classroom. It is a shared responsibility that spans our homes, our communities, and the spaces we create together.In our latest podcast episode, we sit down with two incredible guests who are tackling this challenge head-on:* Janice Stewart-Yates, an educator specializing in diversity, equity, and trauma-informed practice, who breaks down the core tenets of peace education and why creating emotional safety is the foundation of true learning.* Imogen Bond, Managing Director of Empathy Lab, who shares how stories and reading can be powerful tools to build perspective-taking and emotional language in children.What We Explore in This Episode:* Why traditional memorisation-based learning is failing to prepare youth for the modern digital landscape.* How radical acceptance and trauma-informed teaching create a relational classroom environment.* Simple, practical ways parents can foster wonder, empathy, and non-violent communication at home (including the power of “I wonder why...” statements).* How to identify schools that genuinely embody holistic values beyond their open-day marketing.Action Steps to Try This Week* For Parents: Practice “people-watching” and wondering together with your children about the emotions and experiences of others in everyday situations. Use non-judgmental prompts like “I wonder what they might be feeling right now?”* For Educators: Focus on personal self-reflection and professional development around emotional triggers to better support students in the classroom.* For Prospective Parents/School Visitors: Observe real-life classroom and community interactions outside of formal open days to look for authentic evidence of student agency and core values in practice.“Empathy is a skill we all need to practice and develop.” “Understanding unmet needs helps us respond with compassion.”As always, thank you for reading, listening, and being part of this community. Let us know in the comments: What is one skill or quality you wish schools prioritised more? Get full access to The Informed Perspective at theinformedperspective.substack.com/subscribe