Holistic Education, Part 1: Enduring Principles and Practices

In contemporary educational discourse, the language of holism and whole person learning has become increasingly prevalent. Yet the deeper philosophical and pedagogical foundations of holistic teaching and learning are often overlooked. Holistic Education Part 1: Enduring Principles and Practices returns to these origins, engaging with the theoretical and practical dimensions that have shaped the field.

Building upon Carol Flake’s seminal 1993 collection, Holistic Education: Principles, Perspectives, and Practices, revisits the original vision of holistic education as articulated by its early advocates, educators committed to integrating intellectual, emotional, physical, and spiritual dimensions of human development. Contributors examine the evolution of holistic principles in relation to spirituality, embodied and earth-based learning, ecological awareness, and global citizenship.

By situating holistic education within enduring philosophical traditions and emerging global challenges, this volume affirms the continued relevance of holistic approaches for education and the professions. It invites scholars, practitioners, and policymakers to consider education not merely as a means of instruction, but as a transformative process aimed at cultivating wholeness in persons, communities, and the wider world.

Kelli Nigh teaches at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, University of Toronto, in the Well Being Emphasis. She serves as lead editor of Current Perspectives in Holistic Education (Emerald Publishing).

Duyen Can is an experienced educator with over 18 years of teaching English for Specific Purposes at University of Languages and International Studies, Vietnam National University.