MSU Extension Head Start supports learning, growth
GULFPORT, Miss. -- Every day at Gaston Point Head Start Center starts the same as teachers and staff strive to prepare each child for excellence in school.
The day at each Mississippi State University Extension Head Start center begins long before the first child arrives as classrooms are prepared for the day. Activities are set up, lesson plans finalized and hall decorations checked to make sure there is a warm, welcoming space for children and families.
Shuwanda Hardy, center operations coordinator at the Gaston Point Head Start, said students are greeted by name as they arrive, with teachers and staff engaging them in conversation and connecting with parents.
“The morning routine encourages independence as students locate their cubbies, put away their belongings and dive into an activity before gathering for breakfast,” Hardy said.
Each child at an Extension Head Start center gets a nutritious morning meal to set the tone for a day of learning. But what may come as a surprise is that students brush their teeth after breakfast.
“Instilling healthy habits like oral hygiene is just one way MSU Extension Head Start supports the overall well-being of children,” Hardy said.
Jamila Taylor, executive director of Extension early childhood programs in the MSU School of Human Sciences, said mornings are full of structured learning activities, from circle time where students participate in songs, storytelling and group discussions that build language and social skills to independent learning centers designed to foster creativity, problem-solving and hands-on discovery.
“Teachers guide students through interactive lessons in literacy, math and science, ensuring that learning is engaging and developmentally appropriate,” Taylor said. “On special days, students might enjoy a guest reader, a family engagement event or a hands-on learning experience led by a community partner.”
After lunch and quiet time, students jump back into educational activities, exploring and having fun as they learn until it’s snack time and time to go home.
“When parents pick up their kids, teachers make a point to once again connect with parents and guardians, sharing highlights from the day and offering reminders about upcoming events,” Hardy said. “Then teachers spend the rest of the day making lesson plans, preparing materials and participating in professional development to enhance their skills and better serve their students.”
Taylor said MSU Extension Head Start works to ensure that each day the educational experience moves students forward.
“We carefully structure experiences that are designed to support the educational, social and developmental growth of every child,” Taylor said. “Through thoughtful planning, meaningful interactions and a commitment to holistic development, Head Start programs lay the foundation for lifelong learning and success.”
MSU has Head Start programs in Biloxi, D’Iberville and Gulfport. Find locations at .
MSU Extension Head Start enrollment is now open for the fall semester. Register or learn more at .
