Success Stories By MajorProgram FY2025Jul 1, 2024 - Jun 30, 2025
Read, Laugh & Learn
Author: Britney Poe
Major Program: Child Development General
Empowering Futures: The Success Story of Robertson County's "Read, Laugh, and Learn" ProgramIn Robertson County, a collaborative effort between the Robertson County Extension Service and the Robertson County Library has brought an innovative and impactful initiative to life: the "Read, Laugh, and Learn" program. Designed for children ages 3-5, this program is more than just a playdate—it’s a gateway to kindergarten readiness and lifelong learning.From Vision t
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From Giggles to Growth: How Laugh and Learn is Shaping Young Minds
Author: Rosa Smith
Major Program: Child Development General
Describe the Issue or Situation.In Owsley County, Kentucky, access to early childhood daycare options is limited, posing a significant challenge for families with young children. Many parents face difficulties in finding affordable, quality daycare, which can delay essential early learning experiences. This lack of availability also impacts kindergarten readiness, as children may enter school without having developed the foundational social, emotional, and academic skills needed to succeed. The
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Fayette County: Laugh and Learn Playdates Success Story
Author: Caroline McMahan
Major Program: Child Development General
Kentucky has reported that only 24.9% of children attending kindergarten in Fayette County are prepared and equipped to succeed. In many Kentucky counties, limited resources or the environment may hinder healthy lifestyle choices related to early childhood development and physical activity. As an innovative strategy to improve early childhood development skills and increase kindergarten readiness with Fayette County residents, the Family and Consumer Sciences Agent implemented Laugh and Le
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Community Baby Shower
Author: Elizabeth Maxedon
Major Program: Child Development General
Describe the Issue or Situation. In the current societal context, occurrences of adolescent pregnancy and individuals hailing from low-income households have grown increasingly prevalent. This pattern is notably evident within the residents of Spencer County. During the current year, the agents of Spencer County Family and Consumer Sciences and 4-H/Youth Development, in collaboration with the Family Resource & Youth Service Centers and other community partners, coordinated t
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Tot Time
Author: Alex Kelly
Major Program: Child Development General
Tot Time was a new program designed to support young children in preparing for preschool by enhancing their social, life, and physical skills. Recognizing the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, which limited socialization opportunities, and the barriers faced by families with fewer resources, Tot Time aimed to equip both children and parents with the tools needed for a successful transition into preschool. Offered in partnership with SOAR, the program included interactive activities that
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Fleming County's Laugh and Learn Program
Author: Kaitlyn Fryman
Major Program: Child Development General
Issue or Situation: Many young children in Fleming County lack opportunities to engage in structured, hands-on activities that promote the development of fine and gross motor skills. Additionally, high school students in child development classes often seek meaningful, real-world experiences to apply their learning and enhance their understanding of working with children.Outreach or Educational Program Response: In response to this need, the Fleming County Extension Service partnered with Flemin
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Laugh and Learn Playdate
Author: Asya Jarrell
Major Program: Child Development General
A common issue that the Laugh and Learn Playdate can help tackle is the gap in early childhood development, particularly in preparing children for school. Many young children, especially those from underserved communities, may lack access to structured early learning experiences that promote social, cognitive, and physical development. This can result in difficulties with school readiness, such as challenges with communication, socialization, fine motor skills, and the ability to follow instruct
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Impact of Fulton County CECC
Author: Anna Morgan
Major Program: Child Development General
Four River Counties Community Early Childhood Collaborative is of vital importance to the rural area of Far Western KY by serving Ballard, Carlisle, Fulton and Hickman Counties. Extension FCS Agent in Fulton County has served as the council chairman for the past five years. This Early Childhood grant advocates for the young child and their families by improving quality childcare, increasing parent knowledge, improving school readiness, and collaboration to meet the needs of the families. T
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Russell County's High School Grad's Life Skills Series
Author: Megan Gullett
Major Program: Child Development General
Describe the Issue or Situation.Describe the Outreach or Educational Program Response (and Partners, if applicable).Provide the Number and Description(s) of Participants/Target Audience.Provide a Statement of Outcomes or Program Impact. Please note that the outcomes statement must use evaluation data to describe the change(s) that occurred in individuals, groups, families, businesses, or in the community because of the program/outreach.
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Achieving Early Childhood Goals with Laugh & Learn Play Dates
Author: Vicki Wynn
Major Program: Child Development General
The University of Kentucky's 'Laugh & Learn' play date program was designed to assist with achieving these goals found in the Kentucky Early Childhood Profile. --Every Kentucky child will enter school ready to succeed. --Every parent will know what their child needs to be ready for school. --Every community will come together in support of their youngest children. According to Kentucky’s 2023 Early Childhood Profile, children in
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Preschool Pumpkin Days
Author: Rachel Hance
Major Program: Child Development General
It is through our valued partnership with the Allen, Logan, and Simpson Regional Collaborative that we, the Logan County Cooperative Extension Service, seek to improve school readiness in Logan County by educating, encouraging, and engaging families. Kindergarten readiness means that each child enters school ready to engage in and benefit from early learning experiences that best promote the child’s success. The kindergarten screener measures readiness in five important domains, academic/c
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Madison County FCS Free Book Project
Author: Jessica Hunley
Major Program: Child Development General
In the summer of 2024, Madison County FCS Extension was presented with an opportunity to attain free children's books for programming from Rand McNally Publishers. The FCS Agent confirmed a shipment and delivery for the books requested, but soon realized a typo error just created a new challenge and opportunity outside of the plan. The intended delivery was about 10 times bigger than the original plan, and so with the help of county extension teammates, several more pallets made their way ho
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Laugh and Learn Playdates
Author: Sarah Drysdale
Major Program: Child Development General
Kentucky has reported that only 44.9% of children attending kindergarten in Ballard County are prepared and equipped to succeed. In many Kentucky counties, limited resources or the environment may hinder healthy lifestyle choices related to early childhood development and physical activity. As an innovative strategy to improve early childhood development skills and increase kindergarten readiness with Ballard County residents, the Family and Consumer Sciences Agent partnered with Ballard Co
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Dr. Yum’s Food Adventure with Ms. Cundiff’s Class
Author: Ronda Rex
Major Program: Child Development General
Describe the Issue or Situation.Dr. Yum Food Adventure is “an interactive, multi-sensory nutrition curriculum with unparalleled teacher training and support, strong family involvement, and research to prove it helps kids enjoy more fruits and vegetables!” It is a flexible curriculum that allows teachers to incorporate lessons within their program as a whole group or center-based experience, building a culture of wellness at school. Kids with special needs may have additi
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Comics and Capes: A Super Family Adventure
Author: Ashley Board
Major Program: Child Development General
According to the Early Childhood Profile, approximately 49% of children in Caldwell and Crittenden counties are not ready for kindergarten. With most children aged 0-5 in the area not enrolled in childcare, families need access to alternative educational programs that build kindergarten readiness skills.To address this need, the Caldwell and Crittenden Family and Consumer Sciences Agents partnered with the George Coon Public Library and the Caldwell, Crittenden, and Lyon Regional Collaborative t
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Laugh and Learn Playdates
Author: Anna Morgan
Major Program: Child Development General
In Fulton County, Kentucky, access to early childhood daycare options is limited, posing a significant challenge for families with young children. Many parents struggle to find affordable, high-quality daycare, which can delay crucial early learning experiences. This lack of access not only affects a child’s kindergarten readiness but also means some children start school without the foundational social, emotional, and academic skills they need to thrive. The shortage of early education op
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Empowering Homeschoolers: A College Preparation Success Story from Taylor County
Author: Kimberly Thomas
Major Program: Child Development General
Kimberly Thomas, the Family and Consumer Science Agent, led a seven-session College Preparation Class at the Campbellsville Homeschool Co-op, equipping six, homeschool students with essential skills for college success. In Taylor County, where 4.5% of youth are homeschooled (Legislative Research Commission, 2018), this class provided a vital resource for college readiness.Students explored various colleges, both in-state and out-of-state, and learned effective strategies for standardized tests l
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