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Holistic Education, Part 1
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08 June 2026

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.
This book is a deep exploration of how learning can connect mind, body, and spirit, and all aspects of our humanity. Grounded in research, it provides a foundation for the historical context of holistic education and offers concrete examples that bring modern practice to life. It is loaded with practical strategies for educators who want to cultivate awe, belonging, and authentic connection to the living world. This book is an essential guide for anyone interested in a holistic education that nurtures meaning, purpose, and global citizenship.
— Peter Berg, EdD, CHMC, Assistant Director, Alternative Education Resource Organization
In a time of worldwide unrest, and shifting political influences on education, the authors in this collection inspire creativity, and hope. From historical context to present day paradigms and pedagogies, educators and academics are offered a conceptual and practical grounding while making connections to the mysteries and wonders of life. Readers are taken on journeys of experience that touch the soul and spirit of other living beings on Mother Earth. This volume is a valuable resource for those new to the field and those who continue to embody the principles and practices of holistic teaching and learning
— Marni J. Binder, EdD, Associate Professor Emeritus, Toronto Metropolitan University, Toronto, Canada
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.
Chapter 1. Volume Introduction: The Historical Context of Holistic Education; Ron Miller
Section I. Examples of Holistic Education
Chapter 2. Natural History for Early Childhood; Ellen Doris
Chapter 3. Creating a Space for Awe and Wonder: Holistic Practices and Voices in Early Childhood Education; Younghee Kim, Paula Lynam, Michelle Gallas, and Rebecca Tree
Chapter 4. Vasyl Sukhomlynsky’s Approach to Educating the Individual; Alan Cockerill
Chapter 5. Cosmic Education and Nature: A Pathway to Global Wellbeing; Surer Akbar Zade Eirdmousa
Section II. Spirituality in Education
Chapter 6. Awe: Its Role in Holistic Education; John P Miller
Chapter 7. Spirituality for the College Mental Health Crisis: The Relational Aspect of Self-Transcendence and its Role in Education; Renata Cueto De Souza
Chapter 8. The Mystery of Spirit: Implications for Integrating a Spiritual Perspective in Secular Education; Robert London
Chapter 9. Gleaning Over a Lifetime: Holistic Wisdoms and Kinship; Yvonne Germaine Dufault
Chapter 10. Exploring the Moon Cycles in Vietnamese Tradition; Duyen Can
Section III. Embodied Learning and the Earth
Chapter 11. Cultivating Compassionate Ways of Being Through Embodied Ways of Knowing; Ellyn Lyle, Jeeyeon Ryu, and Celeste Snowber
Chapter 12. Engrossment of Our Embodied Experiences; Samantha Goss
Chapter 13. Holistic Education as Embodied Learning Incorporating Spirit, Heart, and Our Vital Life Energy; Jing Lin, Baili Park, Melissa Drobish, Denise Mchugh, and Pascal Pax Andebo
Chapter 14. Embodied Blended Learning: Transforming Potentialities Through Holistic Modes of Experience; Martyn Rawson
Section IV. Being a Global Citizen
Chapter 15. Literacy: A Song, Stitch, Story, Sound Reconstruction; Lorie C. Wright
Chapter 16. Reflecting on Creating a New Global Story for Education Using the Story Model; Susan M. Drake and Chenkai Chi
Chapter 17. Holistic Education and the Earth Charter: An Earth-Centric Model of Transformative Learning for Planetary Citizenship; Sam Crowell and Mirian Vilela
Chapter 18. On the Possibility of Global Alliances in a Pluriverse; Kathleen Kesson