Success StoryBuilding Super Heroes program



Building Super Heroes program

Author: Brenda Cockerham

Planning Unit: Johnson County CES

Major Program: Making Healthy Lifestyle Choices (general)

Plan of Work: Making Healthy Lifestyle Choices

Outcome: Initial Outcome

Building lifetime patterns begin in preschool. It has been well established that prior to five years old, children can be impacted in a positive way to affect their lifetime when armed with  the right tools. For these reasons, Johnson County FCS and the Early Childcare Council has worked diligently toward arming preschool children with the right tools to move forward developmentally. Two major efforts have taken place. The creation of a parent/teacher packet that arms the parents with the knowledge of what is expected of the five year old as they enter school, and the development of curriculum designed to teach one concept at a time beginning with health and minerals, in a classroom or day camp setting. The field test of the first  part of the curriculum is has been completed. Out of 32 children in two Head Start classes, 100% did not know what a mineral was or the name of one. Following the lesson, 90% could site calcium as a mineral that was important to building strong bones, teeth and muscles in the human body. They gained a sense of why calcium was important to consume. (This is one of the secret ingredients in becoming a super hero). One parent reported that "Eating calcium was all my child talked about" after the program. In addition to this field test, three hundred participants have become aware of the five categories of child development through the parent expo, an annual event designed by the Early Childcare Council. Extension FCS created the parent handbook for the event with support from state specialist, established a correlating evaluation system and helped coordinate with the Johnson County Health Department reinforcement packets for each concept that was given to each child. These are now given through 5 agencies to children 5 and under throughout the year. 






Stories by Brenda Cockerham


Truth and Consequences

about 5 years ago by Brenda Cockerham

The Drug epidemic and opioid use within the region is a huge threat to fostering productive and heal... Read More


Keys to Embracing Aging: Taking Time for You

about 5 years ago by Brenda Cockerham

Johnson CountyKeys to Embracing Aging: Taking Time for YouProgram Date: April 10, 2018Keys to Embrac... Read More


Stories by Johnson County CES


Extension Guides New Farmer Into Successful Start in Syrup Production

about 5 years ago by Brian Jeffiers

In the years following the tobacco quota buyout and the end of the tobacco program, farms in Eastern... Read More


Farmers Learn Techniques for Combatting Black Vultures

about 5 years ago by Brian Jeffiers

One of the greatest threats to newborn calves is black vultures. These predatory birds are becoming ... Read More


Stories by Making Healthy Lifestyle Choices (general)


Carlisle County Health Fair: Increasing Awareness of Rural Health Care Resources

Carlisle County Health Fair: Increasing Awareness of Rural Health Care Resources

about 5 years ago by Melissa Goodman

Access to healthcare services is critical to good health, yet rural residents face a variety of acce... Read More


21st Century Summer Camp

21st Century Summer Camp

about 5 years ago by Lora Pullin

The Greenup County Extension Family & Consumer Sciences Agent and Snap Ed Assistant partnered with t... Read More