--- title: Holistic approaches description: Early childhood education is not simply about preparing children for school, it’s about nurturing the whole child. image: https://blogs.ecms.org.au/hubfs/2024.05.27_ECM_LOWRES_@MAXROUX__-127%20cropped.jpg --- ![ECMS_Logo_Teal_22 1](https://blogs.ecms.org.au/hs-fs/hubfs/EMCS%20Logos/ECMS_Logo_Teal_22%201.png?width=112&height=88&name=ECMS_Logo_Teal_22%201.png) [Careers](https://www.ecms.org.au/careers/) [Blog](https://www.ecms.org.au/blog/) [Contact](https://www.ecms.org.au/contact-us/) [Search](https://www.ecms.org.au/search-results/) [Kindergarten](https://www.ecms.org.au/kindergarten/) [Childcare](https://www.ecms.org.au/childcare/) [Find a centre](https://www.ecms.org.au/find-a-centre/) About About Overview [Who we are](https://www.ecms.org.au/about-us/) [Leadership team](https://www.ecms.org.au/partnerships/) [Partnerships](https://www.ecms.org.au/partnerships/) [ECMS policies](https://www.ecms.org.au/policies-page/) [Child safety commitment](https://www.ecms.org.au/child-safety-commitment/) [Book a tour](https://www.ecms.org.au/contact-us/) ![logo-combined](https://blogs.ecms.org.au/hs-fs/hubfs/logo-combined.png?width=98&height=32&name=logo-combined.png) ![logo-combined](https://blogs.ecms.org.au/hs-fs/hubfs/logo-combined.png?width=98&height=32&name=logo-combined.png) [Book a tour](https://www.ecms.org.au/contact-us/) (03) 8481 1100 [Kindergarten](https://www.ecms.org.au/kindergarten/) [Childcare](https://www.ecms.org.au/childcare/) [Find a centre](https://www.ecms.org.au/find-a-centre/) About [Who we are](https://www.ecms.org.au/about-us/) [Leadership team](https://www.ecms.org.au/partnerships/) [Partnerships](https://www.ecms.org.au/partnerships/) [ECMS policies](https://www.ecms.org.au/policies-page/) [Child safety commitment](https://www.ecms.org.au/child-safety-commitment/) [Careers](https://www.ecms.org.au/careers/) [Blog](https://www.ecms.org.au/blog/) [Contact](https://www.ecms.org.au/contact-us/) [Search](https://www.ecms.org.au/search-results/) ###### Share on [Follow us on Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https://blogs.ecms.org.au/blog/holistic-approaches) [Follow us on LinkedIn](http://twitter.com/share?url=https://blogs.ecms.org.au/blog/holistic-approaches) [Follow us on Twitter](mailto:?subject=ECMS&body=https://blogs.ecms.org.au/blog/holistic-approaches) [Home](https://www.ecms.org.au/) [Blog](https://www.ecms.org.au/blog/) Holistic approaches # Holistic approaches #### Why they’re important to us at ECMS Nov 7, 2025, 10:00:00 AM By Damian Cowell Share At ECMS, we understand that early childhood education is not simply about preparing children for school, it’s about nurturing the whole child. This belief shapes our pedagogical framework, where holistic approaches sit at the centre of everything we do. Holistic practice means paying close attention to each child’s emotional wellbeing, physical needs, cultural identity, and sense of belonging, not just their cognitive development. As Emma Forsyth, ECMS Head of Pedagogy, puts it: “We know children don’t arrive at our services as blank slates. They bring their family, culture, experiences, emotions - everything that makes them who they are. Holistic approaches allow us to honour all of that.” The *Early Years Learning Framework* (EYLF V2.0) supports this view, stating that “holistic approaches to teaching and learning recognise the connectedness of mind, body and spirit” (Australian Government Department of Education, 2022, p. 17). It goes on to say that learning is “not limited to any particular aspect of development” and happens across multiple domains -physical, social, emotional, personal and cognitive. This understanding gives teaching teams the confidence to look beyond isolated learning outcomes and instead see children as whole, capable people, who are navigating complex worlds. **What does this look like in practice?** At Bulldogs Community Children’s Centre, a child noticed a bird while reading a book outside. This simple observation became the start of a rich, community-led inquiry into Country, art, and Aboriginal histories. As educator Archi Walia reflected: “The children started talking about the Bunurong people - maybe they lived here a long time ago and maybe some of them had seen these birds. That’s where Obie \[the parrot\] led us.” That story didn’t emerge from a pre-planned experience. It came from careful listening, cultural awareness, and a deep understanding that learning happens through relationship. With people, with Place, and always with Country. At Topirum Primary School Kindergarten, the teaching team worked closely with families who speak multiple languages at home. They recruited educators with those language skills, not just for translation, but to ease transitions, build trust and honour the cultural strengths families bring. As Kristie Macarthur, Area Manager, explained: “We know that for many children this is their first connection outside the home. We want them to feel safe, but also to feel known.” This is holistic practice. It recognises that confidence, connection, and curiosity don’t exist in separate boxes, they’re woven together in everyday experiences and view children as whole. **Why it matters** Holistic approaches allow us to be responsive, to meet children where they are. It means the curriculum includes tending to a child’s emotional need, or redesigning an experience because a child’s strengths call us in a different direction. It means understanding that transitions, trauma and past experiences, culture, and community, all shape how a child learns. As the EYLF reminds us, these approaches enable children to develop “a strong sense of wellbeing” and foster “confidence and optimism in their learning” (p. 17). These are not side benefits. They’re essential outcomes of a meaningful early childhood experience. Holistic practice also benefits families and educators. Families feel heard, and see themselves reflected in the curriculum. Educators feel empowered to teach with curiosity, compassion, and integrity, building relationships that matter. At ECMS, holistic approaches aren’t a strategy, they’re our foundation. They remind us that every child matters, in their entirety. Every moment is a chance to connect. And every relationship has the power to shape lifelong learning. **References** Australian Government Department of Education. (2022). *Belonging, being & becoming: The Early Years Learning Framework for Australia (V2.0)*. Canberra: Australian Government. ## Read On [![](https://blogs.ecms.org.au/hs-fs/hubfs/IMG_4112%20CROPPED-1.jpg?width=352&name=IMG_4112%20CROPPED-1.jpg)](https://blogs.ecms.org.au/blog/becoming-with-place-at-bulldogs) ### [Becoming with place at Bulldogs](https://blogs.ecms.org.au/blog/becoming-with-place-at-bulldogs) At ECMS our place-based approach is a core tenet of our Pedagogical Framework, inviting children to... [![](https://blogs.ecms.org.au/hs-fs/hubfs/IMG_1986.jpg?width=352&name=IMG_1986.jpg)](https://blogs.ecms.org.au/blog/childrens-book-review-quiet) ### [Children's Book Review - Quiet](https://blogs.ecms.org.au/blog/childrens-book-review-quiet) ECMS Educator Giulianna from Thinking Kids Children's Centre in Parkville tells us about a book the... [![](https://blogs.ecms.org.au/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog%20Header%20Images/21-03-24_ECM_LOWRES_@MAXROUX-217.jpg?width=352&name=21-03-24_ECM_LOWRES_@MAXROUX-217.jpg)](https://blogs.ecms.org.au/blog/childrens-book-review-do-not-open-this-book) ### [Children’s book review - Do Not Open This Book](https://blogs.ecms.org.au/blog/childrens-book-review-do-not-open-this-book) ECMS Educator Kirsten from Oakhill Kindergarten in Reservoir tells us about one of the children’s ... 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Northcote VIC 3070 ![ECMS_Logo_Teal_22 1](https://blogs.ecms.org.au/hs-fs/hubfs/ECMS_Logo_Teal_22%201.png?width=112&height=88&name=ECMS_Logo_Teal_22%201.png) [Privacy Policy](https://www.ecms.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Privacy-Policy.pdf) © Copyright 2024 ECMS ABN: 13 012 989 761 [Follow us on Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/ecmschildren) [Follow us on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/early-childhood-management-services/) [Follow us on Twitter](https://www.instagram.com/ecms_childhood/) ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Damian Cowell", "url" : "https://blogs.ecms.org.au/blog/author/damian-cowell" }, "dateModified" : "2025-11-06T23:00:00.626Z", "datePublished" : "2025-11-06T23:00:00.000Z", "headline" : "Holistic approaches", "image" : [ "https://blogs.ecms.org.au/hubfs/2024.05.27_ECM_LOWRES_@MAXROUX__-127%20cropped.jpg" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://blogs.ecms.org.au/blog/holistic-approaches", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://blogs.ecms.org.au/hubfs/Primary_Logo_Teal_Sml.jpg" }, "name" : "ECMS" } } ```