ASPECTS OF DEVELOPMENT AND LEARNING

About the Lesson

The processes of learning and development are distinct but intricately intertwined.
Cognitive development theorists like Lev Vygotsky and Jean Piaget shed light on the ways in
which children learn by constructing knowledge from their experiences, and how
development occurs in the context of their social relationships. In this lesson, we will look at the
concept of learning and development, the five areas of development toward holistic health, and
how these five areas are related to achieving wisdom.

Learning and Development

Learning is the process of widening our knowledge. We are constantly learning new things
throughout our lives, whether it is learning to walk, cycle, swim, dance, skate, climb, or even
learning new concepts in various subjects or languages. Books, teachers, peers, parents, and
even strangers can help us learn. Animals, inanimate objects, and nature can all teach us
something. Learning is an essential component of an individual's development - it occurs at all
ages, and when placed in a new situation, one learns to make sense and feel more comfortable
and confident.

As a result of experience, learning is a process that leads to change, which increases the
potential for improved performance and future learning. An individual may undergo a change in
knowledge, attitude, or behavior. People change how they perceive concepts, ideas, and/or the
world as a result of learning. Hence, learning is something people do for themselves rather than
something that is done to them. It is directly related to how they respond to and interpret their
experiences.

On the other hand, development entails the mastery of skills and the integration of these
skills into behavior so that they become habits. You force someone to sit in a classroom and
attempt to teach them how to fly an airplane. Yes, you can teach him the parts of an airplane and
the theory behind how it operates, as well as how to fly the plane, but he cannot become a pilot
unless he receives practical training and flies the plane himself in different situations. And as such,
development is concerned with action and not a knowledge-based skill that comes through
learning.

Practice is more important than learning in the process of development because it allows
individuals to adopt new skills as habits. Development is a process that occurs after learning, but
it requires constant practice and refinement so that newly acquired skills become behaviors or
habits. Additionally, development is a bodily process that describes the expansion of our cognitive
and problem-solving capacities. This development resembles the biological maturation that
occurs with age and is nearly complete by the time we are young or in our teens.

A Path Toward Attaining Holistic Health

Holistic health is a way of life that takes into account all aspects of wellness. It encourages
people to see themselves as a whole: physical, mental, emotional, social, intellectual, and
spiritual. The term "holistic health" appears frequently in literature, with various connotations.
Holism is derived from the Greek word holos, which means "whole." Holism is not a cult or religion;
rather, it is a way of seeing the world from every angle. Holistic health takes into account the
entire person—body, mind, and spirit. Therefore, holism expounds on the idea that the parts of a
whole can't exist or be understood without the whole. "Holism holds that the whole is greater than
the sum of its parts."
 Most of the time, we link well-being to things like appearance, illness, and discomfort.
However, it goes beyond that. How we treat our bodies on a daily basis, through our decisions
and routines, is the foundation of our life quality and determines its trajectory toward long-term
wellness. The condition of our natural surroundings is another external factor that influences our
greatest well-being. The air we breathe, the water we drink, and the soil in which we grow our
gardens all have a hand in determining how rewarding our lives are.

It is a state of being in which you can manage your emotions constructively. Positive and
negative emotions will enter your life regularly. However, it is necessary to take a step back in
order to understand and respect our feelings, values, and attitudes without allowing them to
adversely affect our days. Maintaining objectivity in our emotions as well as those of others is
critical for developing positive emotional wellbeing.
 This attribute refers to our ability to maintain healthy relationships, form intimate
connections with others, and allow others to care about us. Making contributions to your
community and respecting personal boundaries are also part of it. People who have developed
strong bonds with their family, friends, and community are often the happiest in life. Having an in-
person connection makes us feel more connected to the rest of the world. Participating in your
local community is an excellent way to maintain your well-being. Consider volunteering for a
charity or participating in activities.

Building a relationship is only one aspect of promoting your social wellness. It is

sometimes necessary to end relationships in order to prevent them from negatively impacting
your functioning. Don't be afraid to distance yourself from people who bring you toxic energy or
raise your stress levels.

This involves our life's purpose, our guiding values, and our connections to others and the
world. And it is primarily up to the individual to determine his or her own religious or spiritual well-
being. Spirituality is essentially the intangible aspect of a person that transcends physiology and
psychology. Individuals must develop their own moral code, sense of right and wrong, and values.
It is also about developing one's personality and how one perceives
oneself. Likewise, individuals gradually come to realize that
they are responsible for their choices and the outcomes of those
choices. This helps them in developing moral decision-making
abilities.
 While our emotional development is intertwined with our mental wellbeing, our mental
state refers to our cognitive functioning. A healthy mental state is more than just being free of
illness. Stress and anxiety are normal parts of life; it is our ability to deal with them and use them
to our advantage that distinguishes those with wellness from those who do not.

These five aspects of holistic development, while all distinct, benefit from a holistic
approach. Individuals should always be studied holistically because their developmental aspects
influence one another. Allow each other’s opportunities to explore their surroundings. Always take
into account the big picture and prioritize a person's physical, intellectual, social, emotional, and
spiritual development.

Moreover, we must care for each of the five dimensions of holistic health in order to reach
our full potential: physical, emotional, social, spiritual, and mental development. We must
constantly improve our self-awareness in order to recognize our own strengths, weaknesses, and
areas for improvement. And we must replace destructive habits with those that will benefit our
well-being. "With about 40% of our daily behavior repeated as habits, they shape our very
existence and, ultimately, our future," according to a study of wellness dimensions "For better or
worse, habits have a significant impact on health, well-being, and quality of life."

In each of the five dimensions of holistic health, live your life authentically. Be the best
version of yourself. You have great potential. Allow that to flow from within you, and you will reach
your full potential – attaining wisdom.
Life and Values As Shown by Mr. Juan Y. Javier and Atty. Jesus Lorenzo Arguelles

After the liberation of Batangas from the Japanese in 1945, it was known that the
Batangueños would have to find ways to rise up. Due to the war, the educational system was
severely shut down at the time. And thus, there was an urgent need for the resumption of classes
that had been interrupted by the war for a long period of time. It was the worst possible time for
the people of Batangas to start over. Nonetheless, education must continue for the academic
revitalization of the youth and to give the people hope for a better future.

Mr. Juan Y. Javier, observing the condition of the community, conceived the idea of
establishing an educational institution - the Western Philippine Colleges at the time. Mr. Javier
was fortunate to have met Attorney Jesus Lorenzo Arguelles, as they shared a grievance against
a school owner and a desire to build a school together. Due to their grievance against a school
owner, Mr. Javier and Atty. Arguelles' decision to open a school may have been guided by divine
intervention. One of the UB Core Values, love of wisdom, can be seen manifested in this situation.
Instead of grief, these two men desired to build a school to meet the educational needs of the
Batangueños.

Mr. Javier spent his entire life hanging out with the
underprivileged instead of the well-to-do. His compassion for
the less fortunate had indeed compelled him to lead a simple
lifestyle. Mr. Javier personifies our second core value, Love
of Wisdom, in all its forms. Sincere and compassionate, he
cares about the young children of the impoverished farmers
and fishermen who cannot afford to send their kids to school.
Mr. Javier often worried about the prospects for these bright
young minds if they were unable to complete their education.
His serious concern has prompted him to start thinking about
the means of sending their children to school. It is from his
love for the poor that he saw an opportunity to make our
community a better place. He was inspired to provide
education to these people through these poor young boys and girls. No wonder the University of
Batangas has been established!

In a statement by Mrs. Lily Marlene J. Hernandez-Bohn, UB Executive Vice President, she

expounded that "Verity is, at all times, crucial in the Love of Wisdom. If learners are lovers of
wisdom, they should always make sure they seek the appropriate knowledge they need in the
right way, not the way cheaters do. Culprits of cheating are those who do not have this love of
wisdom, for they only have this love of foolishness and deception—two things which are
repugnant to the academe. Setting aside the importance of the truth, the Javier granddaughter
stated that if UBians want to live this specific core value—they should have a passion for
education, self-improvement, and be better versions of themselves. Without practicing even one
of them, living this core value is futile." Undoubtedly, a love of wisdom is for personal growth and
service to the community to help others—the very aim of Mr. Juan Y. Javier.

Like Mr. Javier, Atty. Arguelles has a heart for the poor, as evidenced by his own small
gestures such as handling pro bono cases when he learns that his client comes from a poor
[Link] like Mr. Javier, he was committed to making WPC a reality. Because of his compassion
for and commitment to the plight of the poor, he worked tirelessly to spread the mission and vision
of the WPC throughout Batangas and beyond. Because of his unwavering dedication and
commitment, Atty. Arguelles suffered a heart attack that ultimately caused his death. However,
his death served as a catalyst inspiring others to take action. The WPC Community was saddened
by the passing of Atty. Arguelles, but they also felt a sense of pride in the fact that WPC had finally
begun fulfilling its mission to serve the youth. Out of his love for the poor and his love of wisdom,
Atty. Arguelles sacrificed his life in order to give life to the poor.

Dr. Victor M. Arguelles, son of Atty. Jesus Lorenzo

Arguelles, pointed out that the role of the University of
Batangas in fully developing the potential of human beings is
to find the truth and beauty in life and others. Written in our
history are the numerous tribulations that our founders faced
when founding the first university in Batangas. Yet, these
challenges faced by the founders inspire us, UBians, that
despite constant difficulties in life, we can achieve anything
we set our minds to, as long as we are determined and willing
to do so.

Our WPC founders, particularly Mr. Juan Y. Javier and

Atty. Jesus Arguelles, instilled in us a love of wisdom as they
rose and strided in establishing the then Western Philippine
Colleges, now the University of Batangas, which is a
successful and long-standing institution, as evidenced by the
university's 76-year existence. Indeed, there is no doubt that the founders' legacy will live on in
perpetuity.