“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. However, as noted in the “Improving Kindergarten Readiness Rates in the Commonwealth” presentation by Amy Neal from the Governor’s Office of Early Childhood in 2021, Kentucky has remained at only 50% kindergarten ready for the past six years, indicating a need to equip counties with the resources to increase the number of children who are mentally, physically, and emotionally ready to start school. These numbers indicate a need for more activities that support school-readiness.

Family and Consumer Sciences Extension gathered a talented team of specialists (Dr. David Weisenhorn, Katherine Jury, and Sally Mineer) and agents (Linda Combs, Dayna Fentress, Ashley Board, Kate Thompson, and Shonda Johnston) to develop a 24-month interactive curriculum targeted to engage 2- to 5-year-old children and their parent or guardian. The curriculum incorporates the five developmental areas outlined by the Governor's Task Force on Early Childhood Development and Education: approaches to learning, language and communication development, health and physical well-being, social and emotional development, and cognitive and general knowledge, as the cornerstone of the learning activities.

The program is designed to bring the adult caregiver (parent or guardian) and child together to engage in a 45–55-minute program that shares books, music, movement, healthy snacks, and crafts in a fun filled learning rich environment. Engaging the parent or caregiver in the program not only increases the time the parent and child spend together, but also helps educate the parent or caregiver on specific ways to interact with their child at home encouraging learning and ultimately increasing school readiness.  Each lesson’s activities are detailed and available to the caregiver as a handout allowing them to repeat the learning experience in their own home. This method of development allows for repetitious learning as well as providing the learning experience in a grab-and-go-bag format for those unable to attend in person.  

Eighty-four county agents were trained on the first 12 lessons (Laugh and Learn Playdates I) during February 2021 annual agent training, and 88 agents were trained on the second 12 lessons (Laugh and Learn Playdates II) during February 2022 training resulting in 105 total county agents equipped to provide the Laugh and Learn Playdates program in their county.