According to research, 90% of the brain is developed by age 5.  In order to provide families and caregivers practical ideas to turn everyday activities into learning moments The United Way of Greater Cincinnati and northern Kentucky developed the Born Learning Academy in 2009--a series of family workshops to help parents prepare their children for school, starting when they are born. The Academies meet in elementary schools.  The Family Resource Youth Service Center Coordinator (FRYSC) at Caywood Elementary School contacted the Kenton County Cooperative Extension Service’s Nutrition Education Program (NEP) Assistant to offer a series of nutrition classes for Caywood’s Born Learning Graduates, so they could continue to improve their skills in order to nurture healthy children. The class consisted of several couples, as well as a few single moms.  During the seven lesson series, the participants learned how to read labels, how to plan meals, how to purchase, store and prepare food safely, and how to stretch their food dollars.  They learned the importance of eating healthier meals and getting regular physical activity. The class also included a field trip to a local grocery store, so the participants could learn how to select the freshest produce for the best price. 

While the adults prepared and tried new recipes, community volunteers and teachers at Caywood led the preschoolers and school-aged children in activities appropriate to their age. At the end of the series, 67% of the participants indicated they now use the Nutrition Facts label to make food choices, and 78% now prepare foods without adding salt.  Sixty-three percent are now planning meals ahead of time, and 67% are saving time and money by shopping with a grocery list. Although only 44% of the participants indicated they thawed food properly at the beginning of the series, at completion of the series 100% are now thawing foods properly, according to United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) guidelines.  One gentleman stated, “The most important thing I learned from class was how to thaw food properly.  I now have to plan ahead to thaw meat in the refrigerator.”  Another participant said, “The most important thing I learned was how to pick out fresh fruit at the grocery store.  I will now buy fresh fruit more often.”  At the end of the series, 56% of participants had increased their physical activity, and were on their way to raising healthier families.