For many children, Kindergarten is the beginning of an educational journey through which they will grow more and more independent and mature. This can be an exciting time for both child and parent. However, not all children are prepared with the appropriate skills to succeed in Kindergarten and beyond, making this experience for some children a difficult one.

Kentucky Department of Education reported only half of the children starting Kindergarten were actually prepared and ready to start in 2016-17 academic year, and for some counties that percentage was even lower. This particular statistic highlights the need for communities and parents to work together to better prepare and ready our children for their educational journey.

Child readiness refers to the whole child, including the child’s developmental abilities, physical and mental health, and their social and emotional well-being. The University of Kentucky’s Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) Extension agent in Johnson County has stepped up to the plate, and is doing her part in helping children become Kindergarten ready. This agent developed a school readiness program, “Building Superheroes”, designed to target and strengthen skills necessary for Kindergarten success. With help and direction from her Early Child Care Council and a $12,200 grant from Kentucky’s Office of Early Childhood – Kidsnow, they were able to incorporate these concepts into an annual program they co-sponsor, and created a curriculum they can use all year long.

The program is geared toward children 3 to 5 years of age and their parents and/or guardians, and focuses on the five learning domains: General Knowledge and Mathematics, Health and Physical Well-Being, Approaches to Learning, Language and Communication Development, and Social and Emotional Development. The grant funds allowed for each participating child and parent to receive books, puzzles, coloring books, and other manipulatives that aid in a child’s learning experience.

As a first time program, “Building Superheroes”, proved to be a success. It was initially launched during the Early Childcare Council’s annual event called, “Parent Expo”. One hundred percent of the 69 attending families were given the opportunity to engage in learning activities with their child. Not only were all the participants able to experience different learning activities, such as stacking blocks, coloring, reading, or making a recipe together, they also received an information pamphlet outlining the expectations of Kindergarten readiness, as well as activities that they can enjoy together in their own home. Participant testimonials indicated that Building Superheroes is educational, fun, and a program they would recommend to a friend. One parent stated, “I didn’t realize all these things would be expected of my child before they even started school!” Follow-up data is being collected to determine overall behavioral impact of the program. Four partnering agencies in Johnson County, the FCS Extension program, the Health Department’s Hands Program, the local library’s Bookmobile, and Head Start, are continuing to spread the message to the public creating parental awareness and child readiness.