Just like the systems in our body work together to keep us healthy, the parts of our mind—our emotions, creativity, intellect and physical body—are interconnected. At SelfDesign, we recognize that authentic learning must support all of these elements. That’s why we take a whole-person approach, nurturing every part of a learner’s being: body, mind, heart and spirit.
Mindfulness and emotional regulation are incorporated into everyday learning
Growing up isn’t easy. Big emotions, social pressures, and the ups and downs of daily life can leave children feeling overwhelmed. That’s why emotional regulation and mindfulness are foundational in the SelfDesign learning experience.
Learners are encouraged to explore tools and practices that help them stay grounded and connected to themselves, including:
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- Art for emotional regulation: Creative activities help learners express and understand emotions in a gentle, accessible way.
- Outdoor time for balance: Nature is a powerful antidote to screen fatigue and overstimulation. Daily learning often includes time outside to support focus, sensory awareness, and calm.
- Mindfulness activities: These aren’t just for adults! Mindfulness strategies help children manage stress, express emotions, build empathy, and stay present.
Our learning philosophy nurtures confidence, authenticity, open-mindedness, and resilience—all essential parts of emotional development.
Connection and community for home learners
Humans are wired for connection. Building relationships and community is essential to a child’s development, and SelfDesign provides rich opportunities to do just that.
We offer a variety of optional live online events that bring learners together across distances, including:
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- Theme real-time meetings and Learning Lounges (Grades 6–12): These are educator-held, synchronous meetings where learners explore shared interests and build peer connections.
- Open Spaces: These are informal meetups where learners create their own interest groups, supporting learner-led social interaction, new friendships and collaboration.
We also encourage learners to seek out in-person experiences that support connection, such as:
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- Camps, clubs, and youth centres
- Team sports or dance
- Volunteering or attending libraries, museums and galleries
- SelfDesign camps
These experiences strengthen social bonds and help learners develop communication skills and confidence.
Children, self-expression and the creative nature of self-directed learning
Creativity is woven into the heart of SelfDesign. When children are encouraged to follow their interests and shape their own learning, creative expression naturally follows.
From art and music to design and storytelling, learners are free to infuse creativity into everyday learning. Many SelfDesign alumni have gone on to pursue creative careers thanks to this self-directed approach.
Former SelfDesign learner and professional ceramics artist Sarah Graeme felt disconnected from learning while attending public high school. It wasn’t until she discovered ceramics through a SelfDesign educator that her learning became full of purpose and meaning. Through SelfDesign, Sarah not only discovered her creative path but also developed tools for community engagement, environmental awareness, and self-inquiry that continue to shape her life and art
Children need movement like plants need sunshine
Children need movement like plants need sunshine. Physical activity isn’t just healthy—it’s essential for learning and emotional balance.
Because SelfDesign learning plans are personalized, learners can incorporate movement in ways that suit their lifestyle, interests and goals. Whether it’s yoga, dance, sports or hiking, learners are supported in integrating physical activity into daily life.
A great example is the inspiring story of Tristen Beaudry, a top-level youth wrestler who balanced a rigorous training schedule with academic learning thanks to SelfDesign’s flexibility. With support from his learning consultant and the school, a wrestling team was even created just for him! Tristen is now working hard to pursue his Olympic dreams.
How personalized learning nurtures the intellect
At SelfDesign, intellectual growth is fueled by curiosity. Learners are encouraged to take deep dives into subjects they care about most at a pace that suits them.
This self-directed inquiry builds critical thinking, creativity and reflection—key elements of intellectual development. Instead of memorizing facts, learners gain a real-world understanding and problem-solving skills that last a lifetime.
Learn more about SelfDesign’s unique philosophy and learning approach here.
