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 Service taught the monthly series- Flowerbuds.

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 roughly 15-17 preschoolers and their caregivers.  The caregivers of the children included fathers, mothers, and grandparents. In order to adapt to COVID-19 guidelines, Flowerbuds met monthly via Zoom for an educational story time and hands-on activities such as tasting a variety of apples, engaging science lessons, making art projects, and potting plants. Every month participants picked up to- go- bags with all their supplies ready for them. The Kentucky Early Childhood Standards and the University of Kentucky’s Leap curriculum, Plate it Up recipes, Nutrition Education Program recipes, Laugh and Learn, and Stories, Songs, and Stretches lessons were utilized. A nine month follow-up evaluation showed the following as a result of the program:

1. 100% of the caregivers said the series helped them bond with their child.  
2. 100% said they learned new ideas on ways to interact with their child.
3. 100% said Flowerbuds helped their child with kindergarten readiness. 
4. 100% said their child’s knowledge about plants/gardening increased. 
5. 100% said they had read more with their child.

Some of the comments from the caregivers about the program were the following:

1. “During the pandemic, having structured, age-appropriate activities has been such a blessing.” 
2. “Flowerbuds helped my child with kindergarten readiness by aiding them with social interactions, listening and attentiveness, communication, and general knowledge.” 
3. “I learned ways to encourage listening skills. I’ve been encouraged to read aloud more to my children.”