According to the Kids Count Data Center close to 40% of children in Kenton County who enter kindergarten do not meet readiness standards in five domains: physical and motor development; social and emotional development; approaches to learning; language development; and cognitive development. A child's readiness score is determined by measuring a student’s cognitive, physical and language development.

The first 5 years of development are crucial for a child's readiness and lifelong success. To combat the issue, the Kenton County Family and Consumer Sciences Program hosts a monthly Laugh and Learn Playdate for youth 5 and under and their caregivers. The Laugh and Learn program taught at the Kenton County Cooperative Extension Office in collaboration with the Family Resource Coordinators at three different Kenton County Elementary schools. 

 Laugh and Learn teaches children developmentally appropriate activities, the parents to learn how to play with their children at home that will encourage learning and readiness, nutritional information and healthy snacks. Posters are hung at each station identifying what skills the child is utilizing or enhancing at each game, and ways that parents can interact with their child to encourage this even more. Instructions for how to set up the game at home using previously owned or recycled materials are provided. The children each received a copy of the featured book of the month.

8 to 10 children and their caregivers consistently attend Laugh and Learn each month.  

80% of the parents or caregivers have reported seeing an increase in dramatic play from their child when at home, often times related to the Laugh and Learn theme from that month. 

60% reported an increase in speech and language skills since attending Laugh and Learn.

80% reported an increase in social skills since attending Laugh and Learn.

One parent has reported she has personally gained valuable nutrition information regarding healthy snacks and feeding and has begun offering more fruit and vegetable choices.   

100% of the parents have successfully gotten their children to try one or more fruits or vegetables that they children had not previously eaten by using tips taught at Laugh and Learn. 

The Laugh and Learn program taught at the Kenton County Cooperative Extension Office in collaboration with the Family Resource Coordinators at three different Kenton County Elementary schools. The children each received a copy of the featured book of the month.