Growing Healthy Minds, Bodies, and Communities, Phase 4: Examining a Holistic Approach to School Readiness

• In Event: Understanding Holistic Education in a School System

Abstract

Growing Healthy Minds, Bodies and Communities (GHMBC) is an innovative standards-based curriculum that aims to address specific issues in Mississippi including academic readiness and children’s overall well-being. Many interventions have emphasized “skill and drill” methods to close the achievement gap, rather than addressing the learning and well-being of children through holistic interventions. Phase 4 of GHMBC will employ a mixed methods design to determine the impact of GHMBC on children’s overall well-being and academic readiness via lesson observations, teacher feedback, and cognitive, social-emotional, and physical assessments. The facilitators and barriers to implementation will also be measured through surveys and focus groups. In sum, we seek to add to the breadth of knowledge underpinning the benefits of holistic education for children.

Authors

• Alicia Cooper Stapp, University of Mississippi
  Presenting Author

• Kenya E. Wolff, University of Mississippi
  Presenting Author

• Stephanie E. Miller, University of Mississippi
  Presenting Author