Extension
It Starts With Us
Parenting and Life Skills Development
Achieving a Healthy Lifestyle
Joyce Doyle, Christy Eastwood, Maggie Forsee
Family Development General
Child Development General
Family and Consumer Science
Health & Wellbeing
School-readiness is a broad term that refers to multiple precursor cognitive physical, and social-emotional skills that indicate young children are prepared to learn and thrive in the school environment. A wide body of research shows a strong foundation in school readiness is indicative of school success. Emerging research also indicates that there is s synergistic effort when early learning activities activate physical and cognitive skills simultaneously, as opposed to doing so in isolation However, in the state of Kentucky only 50% of children are deemed school-ready when they enter Kindergarten. These numbers indicate a need for more activities that support school readiness by building multiple skill sets simultaneously. Carroll County falls below the state average at only 47% of students are ready for kindergarten according to the Governor’s Office of Early Childhood Development.
People are living longer. Kentucky's current population of seniors (65+) is 13.3%, a number that is expected to double in the next 40 years due to the aging Baby Boomers (post WWII babies born between 1946-1964). Approximately 25% of Kentucky's population includes Boomers, who, in 2011, started turning 65. Meanwhile, babies born in Kentucky in 2011 are projected to live to be 75 years old (3 years younger than national average). Whether it is the graying of America or extended life expectancy, aging is a lifespan process. Therefore, it is important to acknowledge and celebrate the changes that accompany aging and help individuals, families and communities manage the challenges and discover the positive aspects of life transitions and growing older.
- Carroll County families are able to:
- Increase the number of children who are “kindergarten ready” in the state of Kentucky
- Improve academic success for children in Kentucky
- Care for the physical and mental health and well-being of each individual over
the long term
• Practice parental leadership skills
• Build personal strengths and self-control, interpersonal communication, life
skills including wise decision-making
• Embrace people from diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds
• Reach out with empathy to people dealing with severe stress
• Access community resources when needed
- The number of people who:
- Increase opportunities and access to more preschool learning activities outside of the home
- Increase number of children who are kindergarten ready in Carroll County
- Increase number of learning activities experienced at home
- Increase child and parent social-emotional skills such as heightened self-awareness, responsible decision making and self-management
- Increase caregiver advocacy for children in their car including legal, medical, social, and educational services
- Increase access of community services to caregivers
- Increase the number of children who participate in outdoor or environmental education activities
- Access community agencies and resources when needed
- Increase healthy eating and physical movement among the older population
- Carroll County residents understand the importance of developmentally appropriate play to their child’s academic success
- Increase child’s ability to express appropriate emotion
- Improve child’s gross motor skills
- Improve child’s early literacy skills including phonological awareness, print awareness, and vocabulary (punctuation).
- Increase awareness of indicators of high-risk adolescent behaviors
- Identity key points of adolescent development
- Establish realistic expectations for teen behavior and explore changing relationships within families
- Increase awareness of healthy living among older adults
Outcome: Improved personal strengths and self-control, interpersonal communication, life skills including wise decision-making; adjust and maintain environmental factors to promote independent aging
Long-term.
Indicator: Increased positive parent/caregiver and child interactions; improved quality of life from change in home environment and increase physical activity and caregiver knowledge
Number of caregivers reporting improved gross motor skills, social-emotional skills, and early literacy skills with their child.
Method: Surveys, evaluations, testimonials, informal feedback; observation, informal feedback, surveys, evaluations
Kentucky Governor’s Office of Early Childhood Kindergarten Readiness Results.
Timeline: 2-4 months following end of program; on a yearly basis
Outcome:
Intermediate.
Indicator:
Number of children increasing their ability to express emotion.
Method:
Survey (Stories, Songs, and Stretches)
Timeline
April 25/May 25
Outcome:
Initial.
Indicator:
Number of parents who express learning new activities to engage their children at home. Number of caregivers improving skills/knowledge in child development, discipline and guidance, legal issues, and advocacy.
Method:
Evaluation
Timeline:
8 months – 2 years
Audience:
Preschool-Aged Children and Parents
Project or Activity:
Theme days at the library
Content or Curriculum:
Playdates at the Library
Inputs:
FCS Agent, Carroll County Public Library, Early childhood Development Program, Carroll County Preschool
Date(s):
April 25/May 25
Audience:
Carroll County Senior Center Participants
Project or Activity:
Monthly nutrition lessons
Content or Curriculum:
MyPlate, NEP curriculum
Inputs:
FCS Extension Agent, Time, Money
Date(s):
July, August, September, October, November, December 2024
Jan., Feb., March, April, May, June 2025
Audience:
Carroll County Youth and Parents
Project or Activity:
4-H Volunteers and Homemakers
Content or Curriculum:
4-H Project Books
Inputs:
Extension Agents, Staff Assistant, Volunteers, 4-H Project Books, Time, Money
Date(s):
March thru December 2024
January thru September 2025
Audience:
Carroll County Youth, 6th and 8th Grade
Project or Activity:
Dollars and Sense
Reality Store
Content or Curriculum:
Dollars and Sense Facilitator Guide Reality Store Facilitator Guide
Inputs:
Extension Agents, Extension Staff, Volunteers, UK Publications, Carroll County Middle School Staff, Money, Time
Date(s):
March 2025
