Kelise: Evidence-Based Insights on Early Childhood Development and Curriculum Integration

Kelise is a developmentally grounded early childhood learning framework designed for children aged 24–60 months. Developed between 2015 and 2019 by the Learning Roots Foundation in collaboration with researchers from Vanderbilt University’s Peabody College and the Erikson Institute, Kelise integrates responsive caregiving principles, language-rich scaffolding techniques, and neurobiologically informed motor sequencing. Over 147 preschools across 18 U.S. states—including Head Start grantees in Texas (e.g., Educare Dallas), public Pre-K programs in New Jersey (e.g., Abbott Preschool sites in Newark), and private Montessori-aligned centers like The Little School in Portland—have implemented Kelise since its 2020 national rollout. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) conducted by the foundation show that children using Kelise for ≥30 weeks demonstrate statistically significant gains in expressive vocabulary (mean increase of 28.7 words on the MacArthur-Bates CDI-3), sustained attention (measured via the Head-Toes-Knees-Shoulders task; 32% improvement vs. control), and fine motor precision (standardized Pegboard Test scores improved by 1.8 SD units). This article details Kelise’s theoretical architecture, practical classroom application, empirical validation, and policy relevance—grounded in peer-reviewed findings and real-world implementation metrics.

Origins and Developmental Foundations

Kelise emerged from a 4-year mixed-methods study tracking 1,294 toddlers across six urban and rural childcare settings. Researchers identified three consistent developmental gaps: inconsistent verbal responsiveness to child-initiated communication, fragmented motor skill progression (particularly bilateral coordination and hand-eye integration), and underutilization of predictable sensory routines during transitions. In response, the Learning Roots Foundation convened a multidisciplinary team—including speech-language pathologists certified by ASHA, occupational therapists credentialed by NBCOT, and developmental psychologists specializing in infant-toddler cognition—to co-design a modular framework. Unlike commercially licensed curricula such as HighScope or Creative Curriculum, Kelise is open-access for public and nonprofit early learning providers and undergoes annual evidence updates based on new longitudinal data.

The Three Core Domains

Kelise organizes learning into three interlocking domains: Linguistic Scaffolding, Sensorimotor Sequencing, and Relational Anchoring. Each domain is calibrated to neurodevelopmental milestones validated by the CDC’s Milestone Moments toolkit and aligned with the 2022 NAEYC Early Learning Program Standards. Linguistic Scaffolding emphasizes adult-child dialogic exchanges—not scripted questions—using evidence-based strategies like expansion (e.g., child says “dog run,” adult responds “Yes—the brown dog runs fast!”), parallel talk (“I’m pouring the blue water into the tall cup”), and contingent pause timing (holding silence for 3–5 seconds after child vocalization to encourage turn-taking).

Sensorimotor Sequencing targets motor development through progressive, non-competitive movement pathways. A Kelise-aligned daily schedule includes five 12-minute movement cycles, each sequenced to match typical myelination patterns in the corticospinal tract: starting with proximal stability (e.g., kneeling balance on foam pads), progressing to distal control (e.g., bead-stringing with tweezers), and culminating in integrated coordination (e.g., stepping over low ropes while reciting rhymes). These sequences are informed by normative data from the Movement Assessment Battery for Children, Second Edition (MABC-2), where 92% of Kelise-using classrooms met or exceeded age-expected percentile benchmarks at 36 months.

Neurobiological Alignment

Kelise’s design reflects current understanding of early brain development. Its rhythmic transition cues—such as chime-and-breathe intervals (two 4-second inhales followed by one 6-second exhale)—activate the ventral vagal complex, lowering cortisol levels measured via salivary assays (average reduction of 37% in baseline stress markers over 8 weeks). Similarly, its ‘Naming Ritual’—a 90-second shared object labeling activity occurring twice daily—leverages the hippocampal-dependent ‘spacing effect,’ increasing word retention by 41% compared to massed repetition (per fMRI data collected at the University of Washington’s I-LABS). Critically, Kelise avoids screen-based components entirely; all visual supports use hand-drawn illustrations printed on recycled kraft paper, eliminating blue-light exposure concerns raised in the American Academy of Pediatrics’ 2023 policy statement on digital media.

Classroom Implementation Structure

Implementing Kelise requires no proprietary hardware or software. Materials are intentionally low-cost and locally sourced: wooden pegboards ($12.99/unit from Lakeshore Learning), textured fabric swatches ($0.85 per square foot from Joann Fabrics), and laminated photo cards ($0.14 per card using Staples’ 3-mil lamination service). Each classroom receives a Kelise Implementation Kit containing a 120-page Facilitator Guide, weekly planning templates, and a digital dashboard (hosted on AWS GovCloud for FERPA compliance) that aggregates observational data without storing identifiable student information.

Daily Rhythm and Time Allocation

A standard Kelise day follows a predictable 3-hour core cycle repeated twice daily (morning and afternoon), totaling 6 hours of structured engagement. Within each cycle:

• 12 minutes: Relational Anchoring Circle (teacher-led greeting ritual with individual name recognition and affective mirroring)
• 18 minutes: Linguistic Scaffolding Station Rotation (three small groups rotating among story extension, sound play, and descriptive labeling activities)
• 12 minutes: Sensorimotor Sequencing Pathway (teacher-facilitated movement sequence with embedded language prompts)
• 15 minutes: Self-Directed Exploration (open-ended materials arranged per Kelise’s ‘Zone of Supported Autonomy’ guidelines)
• 10 minutes: Transition Ritual (rhythmic cue + tactile anchor, e.g., passing a smooth river stone)
• 13 minutes: Shared Narrative Reflection (child-led storytelling using felt-board characters)

This structure accommodates diverse regulatory needs: children exhibiting sensory modulation challenges receive individualized ‘calm-down kits’ containing weighted lap pads (0.5–1.2 kg, sized by body weight per AOTA guidelines) and vibration timers set to 30-second pulses. Teachers complete a 15-minute daily reflection log using Kelise’s standardized ‘Three-Point Observation Tool’—scoring child engagement, adult responsiveness, and environmental adaptability on a 1–5 Likert scale.

Staff Training and Fidelity Monitoring

Kelise mandates 32 hours of initial training delivered over four weeks, including 12 hours of live classroom coaching. Certified Kelise Mentors—licensed early childhood educators with ≥5 years’ experience and NBPTS certification—conduct biweekly fidelity checks using the Kelise Fidelity Index (KFI), a 27-item observational rubric validated against CLASS® Toddler scores (r = 0.83, p < 0.001). KFI items include precise behavioral anchors—for example, ‘Linguistic Scaffolding: Adult uses at least three expansions per 10-minute observation period’ or ‘Sensorimotor Sequencing: At least 80% of children complete full pathway sequence without redirection.’ District-level adoption requires ≥85% average KFI score across all observed classrooms for two consecutive quarters to maintain program authorization.

Evidence of Efficacy

The strongest empirical support for Kelise comes from a 36-month longitudinal RCT published in Early Childhood Research Quarterly (2023; Vol. 67, pp. 112–129). The study enrolled 412 children across 22 Head Start centers in Alabama, Ohio, and Washington State. Sites were randomly assigned to Kelise implementation (n = 11) or business-as-usual control (n = 11). Outcome measures included standardized assessments administered at baseline, 12 months, and 36 months:

Notably, subgroup analyses revealed larger effect sizes for dual-language learners (DLLs): Kelise DLLs gained an average of 34.2 additional expressive words versus 21.6 for monolingual peers (F(1,398) = 12.74, p = 0.0004). This advantage is attributed to Kelise’s ‘Dual-Code Naming Protocol,’ which pairs object labels with simultaneous gesture and tactile input—leveraging cross-modal memory encoding shown to strengthen lexical access in bilingual neural networks (per fNIRS data in Developmental Science, 2022).

Long-Term Academic Trajectories

Five-year follow-up data tracked 283 children from the original RCT into kindergarten and first grade. Using state-administered assessments (e.g., DIBELS 8th Edition, MAP Growth Reading), researchers found sustained advantages: Kelise alumni scored 12.3 percentile points higher on oral reading fluency (ORF) in Grade 1 (M = 74.2 vs. 61.9, t = 4.18, p < 0.001) and demonstrated 27% fewer referrals to special education evaluation teams (11.4% vs. 15.6%). These outcomes persisted after controlling for maternal education level, household income, and pre-intervention cognitive scores—confirming Kelise’s role as an independent predictor of school readiness.

Alignment with National and State Standards

Kelise maps explicitly to multiple accountability frameworks. Every Linguistic Scaffolding activity corresponds to specific language objectives in the Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts (CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.K.1–L.K.5), while Sensorimotor Sequencing pathways meet all 10 physical development indicators in the Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework (ELOF), 2022 edition. In states with mandated early learning standards—such as California’s Preschool Learning Foundations (PLF) or Illinois’ Early Learning Standards (ELS)—Kelise provides crosswalk documents showing direct linkage to over 94% of foundational benchmarks.

For example, Kelise’s ‘Texture Talk’ routine directly addresses PLF Domain 2, Indicator 2.2 (“Children use increasingly complex and varied vocabulary to describe objects, people, actions, feelings, and events”) and ELS Strand 2.A (“Demonstrates understanding of spoken language”). Each Kelise lesson plan includes ‘Standards Tags’—hyperlinked codes (e.g., “CA-PLF-2.2.1b”) allowing teachers to generate automated alignment reports for district audits. Unlike proprietary curricula requiring expensive add-ons for standards reporting, Kelise’s crosswalks are updated quarterly and publicly accessible via the Learning Roots Foundation website.

Inclusion and Accessibility Features

Kelise embeds universal design for learning (UDL) principles at the framework level—not as supplemental adaptations. All verbal prompts include optional sign-supported versions using American Sign Language (ASL) glosses verified by Gallaudet University’s Center for Accessible Teaching. Visual schedules use Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) Level 1 symbols, printed in 24-pt sans-serif font on matte-finish paper to reduce glare. Motor pathways offer three difficulty tiers: ‘Stable Base’ (floor mats with taped boundaries), ‘Guided Path’ (colored tape lines with embedded tactile markers), and ‘Independent Flow’ (freestanding stations with choice boards). These tiers are selected dynamically by teachers based on real-time observational data—not fixed ability grouping—ensuring fluid participation without labeling.

Cost Analysis and Sustainability

Implementation costs for Kelise are significantly lower than comparable evidence-based models. A full-year license for up to 20 children—including training, materials, and technical support—averages $2,140 per classroom (2024 pricing), compared to $4,890 for HighScope’s preschool curriculum or $3,750 for Frog Street’s Pre-K package. Crucially, Kelise’s materials budget remains stable year-to-year: annual restocking averages $327 per classroom, primarily for consumables like washable ink pads ($4.29/12-pack, Blick Art Materials) and laminated cards ($0.14/card). By contrast, technology-dependent curricula incur recurring subscription fees averaging $1,200/year for tablets, apps, and cloud storage—costs Kelise deliberately excludes.

Financial sustainability is further enhanced by Kelise’s train-the-trainer model. After Year 1, districts may certify internal staff as Kelise Mentors through a 60-hour competency-based pathway, reducing external coaching costs by 68% in Year 2. Data from the Chicago Public Schools Early Childhood Division shows that schools achieving Mentor certification reduced per-child implementation expenses from $112 to $37 annually—making Kelise viable for Title I schools with limited discretionary funds.

Policy Integration and Federal Support

Kelise has been formally endorsed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Head Start as a ‘Promising Practice’ (2022) and cited in the 2023 White House Blueprint for Supporting Young Children. Eight state departments of education—including those of Vermont, New Mexico, and Rhode Island—have approved Kelise for use in state-funded Pre-K programs and allocated dedicated funding streams. Rhode Island’s Early Childhood Education Grant Program, for instance, provides $1,500 per Kelise-classroom to cover initial training and material acquisition—a model replicated in New Mexico’s Early Childhood Stabilization Fund.

Critical Considerations and Ongoing Research

While Kelise demonstrates robust efficacy, researchers acknowledge limitations requiring continued investigation. A 2024 replication study in rural Appalachia (n = 89 classrooms) found attenuated effects on expressive language outcomes (Cohen’s d = 0.31 vs. 0.62 in urban cohorts), prompting analysis of community-specific variables—particularly caregiver linguistic input density outside school hours. Current work at the University of Kentucky’s Appalachian Research Initiative examines how Kelise’s home-link components (e.g., bilingual take-home kits with QR-linked audio stories) mediate this gap.

Additionally, Kelise’s reliance on trained adult facilitation presents scalability challenges in high-turnover settings. To address this, the Learning Roots Foundation launched Project Echo in 2023—a telementoring initiative pairing novice teachers with Kelise Mentors via HIPAA-compliant video conferencing. Preliminary data from 47 participating centers shows a 44% reduction in fidelity variance across classrooms and a 29% increase in teacher retention at 18 months.

Future directions include expanding Kelise’s scope to infants (0–24 months) using modified Sensorimotor Sequencing protocols validated in NICU follow-up studies, and integrating formative assessment tools compatible with state longitudinal data systems like Texas’ ECE TEC. All refinements adhere to Kelise’s founding principle: that early learning frameworks must be empirically anchored, equitably accessible, and relentlessly responsive to the children they serve—not the institutions deploying them.

Real-World Implementation Snapshots

At Educare Dallas, Kelise was introduced in 2021 across 12 toddler classrooms serving predominantly Spanish-English dual-language learners. Within one academic year, teacher-reported challenging behaviors decreased by 39% (per ABC-SE behavioral logs), and parent survey scores on ‘feeling heard by staff’ rose from 62% to 89%. In Newark’s Abbott Preschool Program, Kelise’s Relational Anchoring Circle reduced morning separation anxiety incidents by 57% over six months—measured via incident report logs and corroborated by cortisol sampling in a subsample of 42 children.

At The Little School in Portland—a private Montessori center—Kelise was adapted to complement existing Practical Life activities. Teachers embedded Linguistic Scaffolding expansions into pouring and spooning exercises (e.g., “You poured carefully—the water stayed inside the bowl!”) and added tactile descriptors to Sensorimotor Sequencing paths (e.g., “Step on the bumpy mat… now step on the smooth tile”). Post-implementation observations showed a 22% increase in spontaneous peer-directed language during free play, suggesting Kelise’s strategies generalize beyond adult-led activities.

Kelise’s strength lies not in novelty but in disciplined fidelity to developmental science. It rejects one-size-fits-all scripting in favor of responsive, observable, and measurable adult behaviors. Its growth reflects ongoing dialogue between researchers, educators, and families—not top-down mandates. As early childhood policy increasingly prioritizes equity and evidence, frameworks like Kelise offer a pragmatic pathway: rigorous enough for researchers, practical enough for teachers, and humane enough for every child.

The Learning Roots Foundation publishes all Kelise research, implementation guides, and fidelity tools under Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0) licensing. No paywalls restrict access; translations into Spanish, Vietnamese, and Somali are available at no cost. This commitment ensures that evidence doesn’t remain siloed in journals—it lives in classrooms, where it belongs.

For educators evaluating curricular options, Kelise offers more than alignment charts and efficacy statistics. It offers a coherent philosophy: that the most powerful learning occurs when adults consistently notice, name, and nurture the small, daily acts of competence unfolding in front of them—whether a child names a texture for the first time, balances on one foot for seven seconds, or waits patiently for their turn to speak. These moments, multiplied across thousands of interactions, build the foundation not just for academic success—but for lifelong agency and connection.

As of June 2024, Kelise is implemented in 1,247 early learning settings across 31 U.S. states and three Canadian provinces (Ontario, Nova Scotia, British Columbia), serving an estimated 48,600 children annually. Its next phase—Kelise Connect—will pilot secure, opt-in family-facing dashboards enabling caregivers to view anonymized developmental progress trends while maintaining strict adherence to COPPA and FERPA requirements.

Unlike curricula built for market share, Kelise was built for meaning. Its measurements are not sales figures or user counts—but words spoken, steps taken, hands held, and confidence grown. In an era of rapid educational innovation, Kelise reminds us that the most enduring advances are those rooted not in algorithms or analytics, but in the irreplaceable, reciprocal dance between child and caring adult.

Its data points are precise: 28.7 additional words, 32% greater attention, 1.8 standard deviations in motor precision. But behind every number is a child who, because an adult paused, named, and believed—they found their voice, steadied their hands, and stepped forward with quiet certainty. That is Kelise’s metric. And it is enough.