The purpose of an education extends far beyond success on tests or in a structured environment (although those are two skills that may be acquired at appropriate times while being educated). To a parent such as myself, an education is the culmination of all the skills, knowledge, and experience that my child possesses. This education is all for one purpose: To facilitate a healthy person.
Many define education as learning how to learn. Yet this definition is incomplete to a parent, for we wish our children to know not only how to learn, but also how to use their knowledge. We wish for them to be happy and well balanced. Parents are responsible for not only education of scholastic subjects, but in all subjects of life.
We define health as a state of complete physical, emotional, spiritual, intellectual, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. What must be developed within each of these categories in order to be healthy? After careful consideration the following list has been prepared as all aspects of a healthy person:
Physical
Exercise
Nutrition
Wellness
Appearance
Location
Emotional
Stress Management
Creativity
Personality
Sense of Worth
Sense of Control
Sense of Humor
Sense of Gender
Cultural Identity
Spiritual
Connection to God
Development of Spiritual Gifts
Identity and Purpose
Rituals
Resolve Adverse Effects of Sin
Intellectual
Creative
Literature
Music
Art
Architecture
Critical Thinking and Problem Solving
Math
Scientific Application
Physics
Chemistry
Philosophy
Engineering
Economics
Statistics
General Knowledge
Scientific Theory
Geology
Biology
Chemistry
Physics
Law
History
Politics
Languages and Linguistics
Anthropology
Archeology
Geography
Experience
Agriculture
Education
Social Work
Mechanics
Business
Computer Science
Cultural Studies
Psychology
Performing Arts
Social
Family of Origin
Extended Family
Marriage and Procreation
Church Member
Community
Peers
This list can be overwhelming at first glance, yet each point is present in each person's life. And as the list is reflected upon one can begin to sense overlap in many aspects of the holistic education. A wise parent knows that they cannot teach their children all there is to know and experience in each point, but they can give the building blocks of every category to provide for the complete health of their child.
