Academia (n), meaning the academic world, has its origins in ancient Greece. Above is a painting depicting The Academy, founded by Plato in 387 BC in Athens. Take notice on how academics are represented in this image.
philosophy
SELF DISCOVERY and SELF STUDY:
The philosophy behind the Holos curriculum integrates the observation of the whole child. We take a wholistic perspective where all academic studies are woven together to compose a whole and broaden a child’s perspective of the world.
When we compare the old educational system with the New, we see that the old is based in scarcity, where one must seek outward to know, while the New positions the world as a mirror of Self reflection where everything we need to Know is within us. This is why Self discovery and Self study are essential components to the curriculum for children.
Etymology, academics, the formulation of questions, study and mastery are all part of the foundation upon which the curriculum at Holos is based on.
Holos
Origin: Greek, meaning ‘whole’
Definition: Whole, Entire and Complete. Safe and Sound.
The origin of “academics”
The term “academics” stems from Ancient Greece. Did you know that the term ‘academia’ refers to the actual physical location of a grove of trees and a gymnasium outside of Athens, where Plato taught Higher education at the first ever university?
Academics
A more current definition of the word refers to the world of universities and scholars, where scholars are defined as those, who by long study, have gained mastery in one or more disciplines.
Academics is not defined by a syllabus of subjects one must study, but rather the mastery gained from an area of long study.
At Holos, the children are Guided to be such scholars through their interactions with the environment around them and the vast opportunities to explore what is already within them. When a child is sparked with interest to study a particular topic, they are guided to develop the skills required to execute their studies, which can include reading and numeracy.
Questioning and Study
Our approach to Guiding scholars to achieve mastery and discovery of the Self is through forming questions.
Questioning
It sparks reflection, heightened awareness, and it enhances discernment. If a scholar’s reality is based on a higher level of questioning, then they will have a loss of appeal to conforming since they have begun to act from their inner Knowingness.
Studying, when inspired and led by the scholar, comes without attachment.
When we see scholars authentically engaging with the world through their application of academics -questioning and studying-we naturally see them taking up their own space in the world. Assessments and Evaluations are used as a self-measurement tool to identify their next steps rather than as a tool that imposes pressure, expectation and attachment to outcome. The Self-reflection process becomes objective in nature.
Focused Attention
To study is to place one’s focused attention on a subject with the intention to explore it without judgement of the process and results.
Curriculum Services
Holistic Assessments and Study Groups are offered to students in primary and high school levels. Group ratios are kept to 3:1 online for optimal support and guidance while maintaining a Sacred and safe space for children while in-person tutoring ratios are 5:1.
Study Group
A wholistic tutoring approach where children feel Seen, safe and secure to express their authenticity.
Online: 2 hours/week, $240/month
In-Person: 3 hours/week in North York, $400/month
Subjects: We take an interdisciplinary approach weaving many subject areas together through project-based activities as well as include targeted skill development in literacy and numeracy.
At the high school level, we cover: Biology (IB-DP), Chemistry, Science, Math, English, Geography, History, Spanish, French and more!
What’s included:
Academic foundations and Self-Awareness based on each child’s uniqueness.
Self Discovery and Self Study
Forming Questions
Formative assessments to clearly communicate what the child is exploring and what their next steps are with them and with parents
Focus on Presence, breath work, self-discipline, and developing focused attention
Public speaking and Self-Expression
Project-based skill development based on their interests and abilities
Guidance for parents on how to support the children at home
Complimentary access to the Family Circle Sessions offered monthly.
Academic Assessments
A holistic approach to academic assessments, where your child’s wellBeing comes first.
Our approach is to start by sitting beside your child to explore their strengths and interests first. When we enter a new space or an area where they face a skill gap, it informs the child’s next step in academic skill development.
The purpose of attaining this information is to consistently offer a child the opportunity to expand beyond what they already know. To guide them to face their limit and then overcome it.
The assessment is 60-90 minutes and is offered in person or online for those living outside the Toronto area.
What you receive: An outline of your child’s strengths in numeracy and literacy and the areas that are new or showing up as a skill gap. The objective is to pinpoint how the skill gap will support their expansion and how to approach a new area they haven’t explored yet that challenges them to move beyond their comfort zone.
We kindly ask for parents to share any details from their child’s current educational setting to provide more context on how we can best serve them during the session.
Nature Play
Nature-based family meet-ups aimed at bringing back the sense of wonder that goes into play. When we are present with our children, play unravels naturally. We invite you to this engage in this process with us.
There is something about the open air and the expansive space that nature provides, that invites us to breath, to unwind and to cue in to the sounds and experiences available when we allow ourselves to slow down.
Weekly, we meet near public trails and forested areas that provide a rich landscape for all ages to enjoy. There are no lesson plans, and no materials other than what nature has already provided us with.
Our nature-based offer is available once per week for 1.5 hours.
For the latest schedule and locations, contact us.
Your first month is free!
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The Holos curriculum takes an interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary approach to learning along with integrating the Creative Process.
Each unit of study begins with a field trip which is used to anchor the metaphysical concepts and academic skills being explored.
The metaphysical curriculum lays the foundation from which we Guide the children.
If you are interested in knowing more about the metaphysical concepts covered in Holos, we invite you to join the online module: Child-Led Curriculum on the Guideasiam page.
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The article by Vince Gowman, The Right Brain Develops First ~ Why Play is the Foundation for Academic Learning outlines why it is important to let children BE and play so that their creative brain (right brain) can maximize its potential. Naturally, once the creative brain has developed fully, there is a natural switch that occurs where the logical brain (left brain) begins to develop leading to a more analytical and structured form of information integration. If the left brains develops too early then the development of the right brain may be stunted.
Therefore, while Holos introduces numeracy and literacy at an early age, it is done through play and a Guide observes for their readiness to progress to the next step.
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Holos approaches childhood education by honouring and preserving a child’s connection to Source.
We introduce Kids Yoga and energetic concepts to empower them to Be Cause of their energy. We Guide children to connect to Source through breath work, body and energetic awareness, and Self-discipline practices.
Kids Yoga has many benefits:
- calms the sympathetic nervous system (fight or flight response) and activates the parasympathetic nervous system (rest)
-relieve stress and anxiety
-improve emotional regulation
-improve sleep patterns
-build concentration
-increase confidence
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2024/2025
Update: We moved!
We currently operate out of a beautiful space located at 325 Yorkland Blvd. in North York.
This space is booked exclusively for Holos experiences.
If you are interested in a visit, please contact us.
