Fayette County education and government leaders are increasing an emphasis on early childhood learning. It comes through an expansion of the existing First 5 Lex program.
Children’s Author John Archambault led children at Lexington’s Family Care Center in helping to promote reading from birth to age five.
Kindergarten readiness scores fell to their lowest level in Fayette County in the 2021-22 school year. Schools Superintendent Demetrus Liggins said parents and other family members and caregivers can help with child brain development.
“Doesn’t require hours of training. Doesn’t require an advanced degree. In fact, it doesn’t require a degree at all. It simply requires that we read, talk, and play with our students,” said Liggins.
Liggins noted the goal is to move from 42% kindergarten-ready students to 100% in five years. One facet of the initiative is the use of pre-school mobile buses.
“These buses will take pre-school fun and curriculum into Lexington neighborhoods, complete with fully licensed staff members who will read, talk, and play with our students as well as teach our families and caregivers how to do it as well,” said Liggins.
Lexington Mayor Linda Gorton said early learning is important to produce an educated workforce which means more people with good-paying jobs and productive lives.
