According to the 2017 Early Childhood Profile, only 63.4% of children in Caldwell County are ready for kindergarten. “School-readiness” is a broad term that refers to multiple precursor cognitive, physical, and social-emotional skills that indicate young children are prepared to learn and thrive in the school environment.   Children who start kindergarten with delayed development and fewer assets are by far more likely to repeat grades, get tracked into lower-tier classes and drop out of high school than more advantaged children.  It evident that activities supporting school readiness are needed.

The Family & Consumer Sciences Agent partnered with the George Coon Public Library to offer the Stories, Songs, and Stretches!© program monthly during story hour.  This yoga-inspired program is designed to promote early literacy, physical literacy, and social-emotional learning among children ages 3-6.  The program combines books, music, movement, yoga, and mindfulness to enhance the learning experience among participants.

Stories, Songs, and Stretches was conducted at the library once a month for eight months for twenty-seven children under the age of 5 and their caregiver.  All participants attended more than one session.   Fifty-seven percent attended four or more.   At the conclusion of the eighth program, caregivers were surveyed.  All surveyed caregivers stated that they have noticed their child repeating program activities such as reading, singing, jumping, counting, yoga poses, and mindful breathing, at home.  Also, all caregivers reported participating in program activities as a family at their home.  Ninety-three percent have noticed an improvement in their child’s gross motor skills, social skills, and ability to express emotions.  Ninety-three percent have also increased the amount of time spent reading together as a family.  Eight-six percent have noticed an improvement in their child’s early literacy skills.  One parent of a two-year old commented, “I bought my daughter a hoberman’s sphere and she practices breathing in and out with it like you do in the program!”  A parent of a child with autism said, “My child uses the yoga poses and stretches to calm down.”