Laugh and Learn Playdates 

Kentucky has reported that only 51% of children attending kindergarten in Boyd County are prepared and equipped to succeed. In many Kentucky counties, limited resources or the environment may serve as barriers to 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 Boyd County residents, the Family and Consumer Sciences Agent partnered with Safe Harbor Domestic Violence Shelter to implement Laugh and Learn Playdates.  

Through this program, participants work on improving early childhood development skills and increasing kindergarten readiness. 20 adults and 30 children participated in this program. As a result of this program, 75 % of parents reported reading to their child(ren) at least three times a week, 92 % of parents or caregivers reported using simple rules and routines in their home, and 100 % reported involving their child(ren) in play with other children. Regarding physical activity, 85 % of participants' parents or caregivers encouraged their child to continue in challenging tasks. In addition to individual behavior change 90 % reported giving their child new opportunities to try new foods, and 85% reported their family conducted activities learned from Laugh and Learn Playdates at home.  

After the program, participants shared... 

“My son used to never want to try new foods, with the snacks provided by Ms. Jacqueline during the playdates, he is willing to try some new fruits and vegetables at mealtimes.”  

“My daughter is 3 and an only child, she never knew how to really interact with other kids. With going to the playgroup, she is starting to interact more and be more comfortable approaching kids to play and to play without mommy being involved.”