Author: Angie York
Major Program: LEAP
Good nutrition plays a pivotal role in the healthy development of preschool-age children. During these formative years, proper nutrition is essential for their physical growth, cognitive function, and overall well-being.Preschoolers require a balanced diet that provides them with the necessary nutrients to support their rapid growth and development. Adequate intake of protein, carbohydrates, healthy fats, vitamins, and minerals is crucial for building strong muscles and bones, promoting brain de
Author: Ronda Rex
The problem: According to the Kentucky Governor’s Office of Early Childhood, “school readiness means that each child enters school ready to engage in and benefit from early learning experiences that best promote the child’s success and ability to be ready to grow, ready to learn and ready to succeed.” The Kentucky Kids Count Data 2022 reveals that 44% of KY kindergarteners were “kindergarteners ready to learn” and 18% of Gallatin County kindergart
Author: Marla Stillwell
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2014), children eat fewer fruits and vegetables than the daily recommended amounts. Poor nutrition and physical inactivity have been linked to obesity (Hill, 2006: Slyper, 2004; Stubbs and Lee, 2004). Obesity is a major health risk that is tied to problems such as high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, elevated blood cholesterol levels, low self-esteem, negative body image and depression in children (American Heart Association, 20
Author: Sonya Carter
According to the State of Childhood Obesity, Kentucky’s children between the ages of 10-17 have the highest obesity rate in nation with the obesity rate of 23.8%. According to www.countyhealthrankings.org, Hart County adults have an obesity rate of 40%. The Hart County Extension Family Consumer Science Agent partnered with Hart County School’s Family Resource Youth Service Center Coordinators to provide the Literacy, Eating and Activity for Primary (LEAP) lessons in the school
Author: Kaitlyn Fryman
Leap for Health (LEAP stands for Literacy, Eating and Activity for Preschool/Primary) was developed through a collaboration of the Kentucky Department of Education, Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services and the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service. The Fleming County Family and Consumer Sciences program implemented this program within one of the elementary schools in the county. This LEAP session was hosted within the pre-K and Kindergarten grade levels. The University
Author: Peggy Jones
The Cabinet for Health and Family Services, Kentucky has one of the highest prevalence for pediatric obesity in the nation. Approximately 38% of Kentucky children ages 10-17 years are overweight or obese according to BMI-for-age standards. Half of Kentucky’s children in poor families are overweight or obese. According to the 2006 Pediatric Nutrition Surveillance System, 35.3% children ages 0-4 years in Kentucky are overweight or obese. The Rowan County Cooperative Ext
Author: Vickie Belt
One of my favorite programs to teach youth is LEAP. LEAP stands for Literacy, Eating and Activity for Preschool/Primary. This program was designed to read a book, do a small physical activity, and try a healthy snack to reinforce nutrition education. I have had the privilege for the 2022-2023 school year to work with both North and South Livingston Elementary School’s pre-school classe
Author: Megan Gullett
According to the 2022 Kentucky Kids Count data, Russell County ranks 93 of 170 in school district rankings for kindergarteners’ readiness to learn and 77 of 120 in having children in poverty. These statistics directly reflect students in Head Start, which is a program geared towards providing kindergarten preparedness to low-income families.Russell County Family and Consumer Science Agent, Megan Gullett, in partnership with Russell Springs Head Start, Jamestown Head Start, and Elevated Chi
Author: Katelyn Squires
According to, The Partnership for a Fit Kentucky “16.3% of children between the ages of pre-school and kindergarten are considered overweight”. Because of this statistic Green County Family and Consumer Sciences Extension partnered with Green County Head Start and Little Lambs Preschool to offer a maximum of forty-nine preschool aged children the LEAP curriculum each month. This program consists of learning about Literacy, Nutrition, and Physical activities. Each month since Sep
Author: Rachel Hance
According to the Cabinet for Health and Family Services, Kentucky has one of the highest prevalence for pediatric obesity in the nation. Approximately 37% of Kentucky children ages 10-17 years are considered overweight or obese according to BMI-for-age standards. Half of Kentucky’s children in poor families are overweight or obese. According to the 2008 Pediatric Nutrition Surveillance System, 32.3% children ages 2-5 years in Kentucky are overweight or obese. To address th
Author: Tracey Turner
With today’s fast food generation, more than 1 in 4 children age 5 years old or older are enrolling in schools already overweight or obese. In a collaborative effort between the Owsley County Elementary School and the Owsley County extension office a nutrition program is being taught to help guide these children in the right direction to a healthier lifestyle. LEAP (Literacy, Eating and Activity for Preschool) is delivered to the Kindergarten classes in our county via the Senior nutr
Author: Judy Vaughn
The UK Cooperative Extension Service in Estill County joined with the Estill County Library to conduct a LEAP Read and Walk at the Ravenna Veteran’s Memorial Park in Ravenna. The LEAP Read and Walk provides children and guardians information on nutrition and exercise as well as promote the love of reading. The program was presented four times in the months of June and July. Four books were chosen for the program with two of the books provide in Spanish as well as English
