Reclaiming a Young Child's Voice: Building Holistic Relationships and Celebrating Community for Children With Autism Using Classroom Rituals

• In Event: 35.055 - Caring for Mind, Body, and Heart: Holistic Practices in the Classroom

Abstract

Holistic education aims at nurturing the development of the whole person. Holistic relationships are based on communities of learning. At important moments in life, rituals share connection, inclusion, and balance which are three basic principles of holistic education. Rituals strengthen holistic relationships with building community and spiritual moments. This paper addresses the critical importance of innovative scholarship in holistic education by having educators implement a supportive and caring learning community using rituals as an important and ongoing part of daily classroom living for children with autism. By establishing rituals and promoting an inclusive classroom community within the curriculum, educators implicitly convey to all young children that they value holistic relationships with peers and healthy independence.

Author

• Kathleen I. Harris, Seton Hill University