The University of Kentucky's 'Laugh & Learn' play date program was designed to assist with achieving these goals found in the Kentucky Early Childhood Profile. 

• --Every Kentucky child will enter school ready to succeed. 

• --Every parent will know what their child needs to be ready for school. 

• --Every community will come together in support of their youngest children. 

According to Kentucky’s 2023 Early Childhood Profile, children in Marshall County continue to need interventions so they are ready for kindergarten.  Children who start kindergarten with delayed development and fewer assets are far more likely to repeat grades, get tracked into lower-tier classes and dropout of high school than more advantaged children.  

The Marshall County Agent for Family & Consumer Sciences (FCS) hosts in-person Laugh & Learn playdates at three local library branches that allow preschool age children and their families to participate in a variety of school readiness activities through play. Each month, the FCS agent demonstrates a variety of activities that can be recreated at home.  Activities focus on fine and gross motor, literacy, math skills and good nutrition. Letters, colors, numbers recognition and other readiness skills are also included. 

Families from 58 households are represented at the monthly sessions. Take-home resource kits include all materials to replicate activities. Parents commented they appreciate the program being offered to their preschool age children and the take-home newsletter and resources are helpful in assisting them to reinforce readiness activities.   

Extension programs such as Laugh & Learn playdates aim to continuously improve and ensure all children have a strong start in school and in life. This is the fourth year for the program in Marshall County.