Author: Macey Stewart
Major Program: Child Development General
A considerable number of Kentucky’s children enter kindergarten unprepared. Kindergarten Readiness is assessed through multiple factors such as: health and physical wellbeing, social and emotional development, approaches to learning, language, and communication development; and general knowledge and mathematics. To address this issue, Johnson County Family and Consumer Sciences Cooperative Extension Program has provided Laugh and Learn Playdates for children
Author: Ruth Chowning
Every year about 18,000 children enter school to begin learning here in Bullitt County. According to 2022 Kids Count, over 59% of the 900 students who will enter kindergarten are not ready to learn. Seen as a community leader, the Bullitt County Extension Agent for Family and Consumer Sciences was asked to serve on a County-wide committee for an annual school readiness event. Working with multiple community partners such as the Health Department, Police and Fire Departmen
Author: Rosa Smith
The ProblemOwsley County, KY, faces significant challenges with kindergarten readiness. Statistics indicate that many children in the area are not adequately prepared to start school, impacting their long-term educational success. Data from the Owsley County Head Start center reveals that only 35% of children are considered ready for kindergarten. Additionally, there is a substantial need for daycare services in the county, with many families lacking access to affordable and quality early childh
Author: Lynnette Allen
In Kentucky the need for early childhood development and school readiness continues to be identified. Due to limited early childcare programs in Breckinridge County, there are less than 400 slots in licensed and certified childcare facilities. Many young children and parents do not have access to childcare that provides a structured learning environment to support school readiness. To address this, the Breckinridge County FCS program and Early Childhood Council hosted the annua
Author: David Weisenhorn
Relevance: According to U.S. Census Bureau data from 2022, approximately 44 million Americans live with a disability, representing 13% of the civilian noninstitutionalized population. In Kentucky, 18.1% of people have a disability trumping the national average. People included in this group experience difficulties with hearing, vision, cognitive, walking, or independent living. In addition, the National Center for Education Statistics data indicates the percentage of public-school stu
Relevance: According to Kids Count Data, during the 2022-23 school year only 46% of kindergarten students in Kentucky were ready for their learning experience based on the criteria set by the Governor’s Office of Early Childhood. By using the Brigance Kindergarten Screener, all children are assessed based on adaptive, cognitive, motor, communication, and social-emotional skills.Over the past decade, Kentucky’s Kindergarten Readiness has fluctuated between 44-51%, with some counties h
Author: Rachel Mattingly
Kentucky has reported that only 44% of children attending kindergarten in Marion 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 Marion County residents, the Family and Consumer Sciences Agent partnered with Marion County
Author: Denise Wooley
Over the past five years (2015-2020), Kentucky has reported that only 52% of children attending kindergarten 42.2% in Graves County are actually prepared and equipped to succeed. In many Kentucky counties, limited resources or the environment may serve as barriers for 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 Graves County residents,
Author: Rachel Hance
It is through our valued partnership with the Allen, Logan, and Simpson Community Early Childhood Council 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,
Author: Christa O'Cull
The problem - Lewis County has limited programs for pre-school aged children.The educational program response - Laugh and Learn is a University of Kentucky research based program designed to meet the educational needs of two, three, and four year olds. 6 children are currently enrolled with our program held at the Lewis County Public Library.The participants/target audience - Lewis County children age 2-4 are invited to participate in Laugh & Learn. We have posted in our FCS newsletter
Author: Vicki Wynn
According to Kentucky’s 2023 Early Childhood Profile, children in Marshall County continue to need interventions so they are ready for kindergarten. Children who start kindergarten with delayed development and fewer assets are far more likely to repeat grades, get tracked into lower-tier classes and dropout of high school than more advantaged children. The Marshall County Agent for Family & Consumer Sciences (FCS) hosts in-person Laugh & Learn playdates at thr
Author: Ronda Rex
Ms. Cundiff’s Special Needs Class at the Gallatin County Middle School consists of 8 students all with different cognitive development and sensory issues. The Gallatin County Cooperative Extension Service Family & Consumer Sciences Agent, Ronda Rex was called upon to assist the students with reading recipes and cooking/baking. According to Autism Speaks, “every person with autism is different, so the life skills that will be taught, and the pace that they are ta
Author: Deborah Messenger
Kentucky has reported that only 30% of children attending kindergarten in Cumberland 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 kindergarte
Author: Marsha Hagler
Kentucky has reported that only 51% of children attending kindergarten in Nelson County Schools and only 59% in Bardstown Independent Schools 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 Nelson County residents, the Family an
Author: Sonya Carter
The Family Consumer Science agent collaborated with numerous organizations to provide educational sessions to expecting parents. Many organizations provided services to the participants, including Barren River Health Department, Crossroads Pregnancy Center, Hart County Schools, Kentucky ASAP, Hart County Public Library, Hart County Child Support, and Kentucky Hands. There were 38 mothers signed up to attend. The participants listened to presentations on Sleepin
Author: M. Elizabeth Coots
Kentucky has reported that only 24.9% of children attending kindergarten in Shelby 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 Shelby County residents, the Family and Consumer Sciences Agent&n
Author: Kelly Alsip
Laugh and Learn Playdates Kentucky has reported that only 57% of children attending kindergarten in McCracken County are prepared and equipped to succeed, and Paducah Independent is at 47%. 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 Paducah City, and
Author: Amanda Dame
Kentucky has reported that only 42% of children attending kindergarten in Hopkins 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 Hopkins County residents, the Family and Consumer Sciences Agent partnered with Hopkins Coun
