Left brain teacher, Madisyn Cates, works on syllables with students at the Liles Early Learning Academy.
BY: DR. NORMA MARTINEZ, GCCISD DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS
As parents, you want the best possible start for your child’s educational journey. “Ninety percent of a child’s brain develops before the age of 5” (Harvard, 2020). At Goose Creek CISD, our Early Learning Academies focus on developing the whole child by working on their executive function skills.
Executive function encompasses a set of cognitive skills that act as the brain’s command center, enabling children to manage thoughts, actions, and emotions effectively. These skills play a pivotal role in a child’s ability to plan, organize, focus, remember instructions, control impulses, and juggle multiple tasks – all vital abilities that shape their future success in academics and life.
We understand that children develop at different rates, and our experienced teachers tailor their approach to meet each child’s unique needs, focusing on movement and the different sides of the brain. Madisyn Cates, Left Brain Teacher at Liles Early Learning Academy (ELA), explained that she guides children to develop focus, concentration, and independence, while Kelsey Roark, Right Brain Teacher at Liles ELA, stimulates creativity and imagination. Students’ Movement Teacher, Kelley Campbell-Conner, promotes healthy choices and helps students enhance their locomotor skills.
Kindergarten Readiness Data from 2021-2022 shows that 82.4% of students who attended PK were ready for kinder compared to the 62.0% of those that did not attend PK. By fueling their developing brains and enhancing their executive function, teachers are providing the necessary tools to excel academically and thrive in all areas of life.