The recent pandemic had a direct impact on school readiness and social interactions of children ages 0-5 with children falling behind the norm for progress in this area.  To assist parents and caregivers the family and consumer sciences agent partnered with the school district family resource center coordinators to offer a twelve month Laugh and Learn Playdates series.  This theme based program exposes preschool children and their caregivers to fun activities which promote fine and gross motor development, social interaction, story telling and healthy snacks to promote physical and emotional development.  The caregivers learn the importance to their child's development and how they can be duplicated at home through a variety of activities.  

The monthly series began in January and attendance has slowly increased from an average attendance of 15 to 30.  The most dramatic impact of the program relates to the social development of children attending with 95% showing dramatic growth.  The remaining 5% are slowly adjusting to interacting with other children and are not crying and clinging to their caregiver as often. 80% of the participants can now sit and follow directions for play and group activities. 60% have showed improvement in gross motor development.

Parents and caregivers have expressed how the programs have helped them understand more about their child's development and how they play an important role in their progression and school readiness.