experiential-learning
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- PaperDOAJ — ELT & TESOL1 May 2026
Teaching the Whole Child Through Living History: Experiential Learning in the History Classroom
Robert E Capps Jr.
Experiential learning through living history activities engages students intellectually, emotionally, and actively, fostering historical thinking and empathy. Drawing on Pestalozzi's philosophy, a Washington Crossing the Delaware lab illustrates how this approach benefits diverse learners, including English Language Learners, by moving beyond memorization.
Original abstract
This article examines the role of experiential learning in teaching the whole child within the history classroom. Drawing on the educational philosophy of Johann Heinrich Pestalozzi, the article argues that meaningful historical understanding develops when students engage intellectually, emotionally, and actively with the past. Using a Washington Crossing the Delaware living history lab as a classroom example, the article illustrates how experiential learning encourages historical thinking, empathy, and student engagement across diverse learners, including English Language Learners. The article concludes by offering practical implications for educators looking to incorporate living history experiences that move students beyond memorization toward a deeper understanding of historical decision-making and human complexity.