This document discusses holistic development in early childhood education. It defines holistic development as seeing the child as a whole person and recognizing that all areas of development are interlinked. The seven areas of development are physical, communication/language, personal/social/emotional, literacy, math, understanding the world, and expressive arts/design. When observing children's development and learning, one should take a holistic approach and consider how progress or challenges in one area may impact others. The document provides examples of how multiple areas are demonstrated simultaneously through play and interactions.

1. Holistic Development
Unit 8
Professional Practice

2. 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.

3. 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?

4. 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)

5. 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.

6. 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

7. 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).

8. 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

9. 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).

10. 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

11. 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.

12. 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