In Northern Kentucky, only 53% of students were kindergarten ready (Kentucky Center for Statistics, 2019). Kindergarten Readiness means the child is academically, socially, and emotionally ready to start school. Another important focus for children to be ready for school is having healthy relationships and strong families.   According to the University of Kentucky’s publication, “Family Vitality: Characteristics of Strong Families,” relationships that include good communication skills, fun times, time together, involvement with friends and community, commitment, and a healthy lifestyle are some essential characteristics of strong families (Rupured and Quick, 1997).   In order to improve the kindergarten readiness rate and build healthy strong families, the Campbell County Extension taught the monthly series- Flowerbuds at the Extension Office and Leap at Campbell Ridge Preschool. 

The Campbell County Family and Consumer Sciences Agent partnered with the Horticulture Assistant to teach the monthly Flowerbuds series, which provided educational family time for 12 preschoolers and 12 caregivers.  The caregivers of the children included fathers, mothers, and grandparents. Flowerbuds met monthly for an educational story time, tours of the educational gardens, a hands-on activity for the child and caregiver, and a healthy light snack. The Kentucky Early Childhood Standards and the University of Kentucky’s Leap curriculum, Plate it Up recipes, Nutrition Education Program recipes, and Stories, Songs, and Stretches lessons were utilized.  End of the series written evaluations showed that 100% of the caregivers said the series helped them bond with their child.  66% said they learned new ideas on ways to interact with their child, and 78% said their child became more open to trying new foods. 100% said their child’s knowledge about gardening increased. Some of the comments from the caregivers about the program were the following:  1) “I am able to refer back to the Flowerbuds program to get her to try new foods/activities!” 2) “This class puts us in a learning environment, and you can see success.”  3) “The lesson plans are perfect for her age. She soaks up everything. She loves all the activities and story time.” 4) “My child’s gardening and nutritional education has been enhanced, and an interest in science has been opened, and minds are more curious.”  9 month follow-up evaluations showed that 100% of the caregivers stated that Flowerbuds helped their child with kindergarten readiness in the following areas: 1) health and physical activity, 2) emotional and social preparation, 3) language, math, and general knowledge, and 4) cognitive skills. One parent stated, “My kids both gained friends as well as had an introduction to a classroom in which they have grown more accustomed to.”  Another stated that “the physical exercises were good for coordination, and the class helped them focus better on tasks at hand.”

The Campbell County Cooperative Extension Service also collaborated with Campbell Ridge Preschool on a nine-session curriculum called Leap (Literacy, Eating, and Activity for Preschool/Primary) for Health to 36 children aged 3-5 years. Storybooks were used to teach children the importance of staying healthy, being physically active, eating more fruits and vegetables, and improving literacy. Each session included reading the story, tasting foods introduced in the story, and a reinforcement activity such as discussing how to brush one’s teeth. At the end of the ninth session, 97% of the children could identify spinach as a vegetable, 100% could identify mango as a fruit, 100% said exercising was important, and 100% knew that they were to brush their teeth at least two times every day. One preschool teacher stated, “They have learned the importance of eating the food groups and staying healthy and active.”