Growing Healthy Bodies, Minds, and Communities: A Standards-Based Whole-Child Approach to School Readiness

• In Event: Marriott Roundtable Session 17
  In Roundtable Session: Mindfulness Mechanisms and Exploring Becoming

Abstract

Two-thirds of children in communities across Mississippi are considered unprepared to enter Kindergarten (Kids Count, 2014). There have been many efforts to address school readiness, but few focus on the development of children's overall health (social, emotional, physical, and intellectual). A majority of interventions have emphasized “skill and drill” methods to close the achievement gap instead of approaching the learning and well-being of children from a holistic approach. Therefore, this study will address the aforementioned problem through the development of an innovative standards-based curriculum that integrates social, emotional, and physical skills through the key areas of yoga/mindfulness, gardening/nutrition, and anti-bullying/anti-bias education.

Authors

• Kenya Wolff, The University of Mississippi

• Alicia Cooper Stapp, The University of Mississippi