What Does It Really Mean to Educate the Whole Child?

[LaShawnSpringer]

Educating the whole child is more than just an educational philosophy—it’s a commitment to ensuring students' social, emotional, and physical well-being alongside their academic development. But as any educator knows, that’s easier said than done.

Dr. Anthony Perry from The Lab School of Washington is an educator who lives and breathes this approach. The school specializes in teaching students with language-based learning differences, proving that when schools are intentional about their structures and support systems, whole-child education is more achievable than we might think.

The school is unique in its approach: with a small student body of around 390 students and nearly 200 adults, it prioritizes individualized attention. Students receive support not only from teachers but also from occupational therapists, speech-language pathologists, and psychologists. This robust team ensures that each learner's needs are met holistically.

In a recent conversation on the What & Who of EDU Podcast, we dug into what makes The Lab School different and how educators everywhere can borrow some of its best strategies to build inclusive, empowering learning environments.

Five Practical Takeaways for Any Educator

Not every school has the resources to employ an entire team of specialists like The Lab School, but Dr. Perry offers strategies that any educator can implement:

Leverage Specialists as Partners

Many schools have instructional designers, learning specialists, or literacy coaches. Instead of seeing them as separate from classroom instruction, integrate them into your teaching process. Their expertise can help tailor instruction to meet diverse learning needs.

Make Learning an Interactive, Multi-Sensory Experience

Dr. Perry emphasizes the importance of repetition and variety. “Students need multiple iterations of content in different forms—reading, watching, discussing, and doing.” By incorporating different learning modalities, educators can ensure all students grasp key concepts.

Empower Students to Co-Create Their Learning

At The Lab School in Washington D.C, students are active participants in their education. Whether through project-based learning, discussions, or choosing how they engage with material, giving students a voice increases engagement and ownership.

Foster a Culture of Belonging

Dr. Perry describes The Lab School in Washington D.C as a place where students support each other. Educators can create similar environments by building classroom norms that emphasize empathy, fairness, and collaboration.

Rethink How We Teach Reading and Literacy

The Lab School in Washington D.C prioritizes evidence-based literacy instruction, such as the Science of Reading and Orton-Gillingham approaches. Ensuring that teachers receive training in effective literacy practices can transform outcomes for all students.

While not every school can mirror The Lab School in Washington D.C model, the core principles of building strong support networks, fostering student agency, and creating inclusive environments are universal. As Dr. Perry reminds us, all students deserve to be in schools where they feel seen, heard, and empowered. By taking small, intentional steps, any educator can move toward a more holistic approach to teaching and learning.

Want to hear more? Tune in my full conversation with Dr. Anthony Perry on The What & Who of EDU podcast. Apple | Spotify |

What’s one change you can make today to bring whole-child education into your classroom? Drop us a voicemail at (512) 765-4688, and you might hear yourself on a future episode!