With the initial collaboration efforts of Sherry Paul (Whitley County North Elementary Family ResourceCenter), Tammy Stephens (Williamsburg Family Resource Youth Service Center), and myself Cheryl Owens, Whitley County Extension Office (Expanded Food Nutrition Education Program Assistant), Cradle School came into existence to help narrow the Kindergarten Readiness gap along with addressing better food choices and instilling the need to give our lives a “more close” look.  According to the Stateofobesity.org (2016), and Childhealthdata.org (2016) 34.6% of Kentucky adults are obese and 37.1% of children are overweight or obese.  One out of 3 Kentuckians (32.5%) are physically inactive.  Nearly 1 out of 2 Kentucky children (49.7%) and adults (45.9%) consume fruits less than once daily according to the CDC, State Indicator Report on Fruits and Vegetables 2013.

Just why is Kindergarten readiness important?  Because children will quickly fall behind their peers, and may continue to have trouble in school without extra academic support, thus possibly causing the child to drop out of school.  According to 2013 Kids Count, Annie E. Casey Foundation (AECF), 26% of Kentucky children live in poverty, and 64% of fourth graders scored below proficient in reading Achievement, on the National Assessment of Educations Progress. With 64% of Kentucky children eligible for free or reduced-priced meals – a socioeconomic challenge was recognized as a barrier to student achievement, according to the 2015 Kentucky Department of Education. For the 2014/2015 School Year, Kentucky had 50% and Whitley County, Kentucky had 51% of children entering Kindergarten ready to learn according to the Kentucky Early Childhood Profiles from the www.kidsnow.gov.

With research substantiating how important overall health, healthy brain development, and school Readiness, all play important roles in the success of our children, various activities are being incorporated to bridge these gaps.

Cradle School began its first classes in January of 2015 and is now in it’s 2nd year.  The classes were to target parents and children preferably under the age of 5 years old.  The first series of classes were geared solely from the LEAP Program curriculum where a story was read with the children and parents.  In addition there were numerous “hands-on” nutritional awareness conducted in the socialization skills.   This not only allowed and opened other avenues and means of instilling the importance of good nutrition for the child, but also for the entire family.  Cradle School began with four parents and their four children.  The meetings are held monthly at the Whitley County Health Department where the parents and children engage with others while learning and sharing some of their own experiences.  At the first class for the 2016/2017 year, the meeting had several more in attendance.  One of the largest classes to date, has had 19 in attendance.

Cradle School offers parents and children “quality” time while addressing and educating both parent and child.  Not only is the literacy component incorporated, but there are also an array of additional classes that both benefit parent and child with numerous “hands-on” activities. It has also allowed for more collaboration in the area through the means of various speakers and additional topics such as but not limited to early dental care, fine motor skills, literacy and Kindergarten readiness.