Over the past five years (2015-2020), Kentucky has reported that only 52% of children attending kindergarten  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 Bath County residents, the Family and Consumer Sciences Agent partnered with Family Resource and Youth Service Coordinators to implement Laugh and Learn Playdates. 

Through this program, participants work on improving early childhood development skills and increasing kindergarten readiness. 5 adults and 9 children participated in this program. As a result of this program, 100 % of children knew their full name or were able to write it correctly, 100 % of parents or caregivers reported their child could follow simple rules and routines without reminders, and 100 % reported an improvement in child’s ability to play with other children. In regard to physical activity, 100 % of participant’s parents or caregivers noticed their child continuing in tasks that were challenging. In addition to individual behavior change 90% reported an increase in their child’s willingness to try new foods.