As social-emotional learning has gained prominence in K-12 education, some educators have wondered how ASCD's Whole Child approach intersects with this movement. In fact, the Whole Child approach encompasses and overarches the components of social-emotional learning, as well as other holistic education models, and as such can serve as a helpful "umbrella" framework for integrating such practices in schools. ASCD's Whole Child approach is an effort to transition schools and systems from a focus on narrowly defined academic achievement to one that promotes the long-term development and life success of all children. At its core, a Whole Child education is one in which students are healthy, safe, engaged, supported, and challenged. This holistic approach, based on Abraham Maslow's hierarchy of needs, refocuses attention on each child's comprehensive and successful development to graduation and adulthood.