Over the past several years, a growing consensus has emerged that learning is a social, emotional, and cognitive process—but how do young people perceive and experience this type of integrated learning in action? All of Who I Am, a new report from The Center for Promise at America’s Promise Alliance, features insights from a qualitative study of more than 100 young people who describe their experiences with whole child approaches in exemplar learning settings across the country. The report’s title, drawn from a young person’s own words, encapsulates the most significant insight from the study: that learning environments that prioritize and integrate social, emotional, and cognitive development are nurturing young people’s sense of themselves as valued, multi-dimensional community members. In addition, six interconnected themes emerged from listening to the young people. Together these themes, which range from relationships and belonging to intentionality and agency, comprise a holistic,
youth-centered learning experience.
