Strategy

LENA Start

What is it?

LENA Start is a community program designed to help families learn how to have more conversations with their children during the first three years of life. During the program, families use LENA’s talk pedometer technology to measure their child’s language environment. Using the technology, parents receive weekly feedback on the number of words and back-and-forth conversations they had with their child. The program consists of 10 weekly sessions for groups of 10 to 20 parents that can be delivered virtually or in person. Sessions consist of presentations, engaging videos, and sharing practical techniques. 

What is the evidence base?

Families that participate in LENA Start demonstrate an increase in interactive talk, conversational turn-taking, and child vocalizations. Specifically, children make significant gains in their language skills. 

• Beecher and Van Pay_2020_Investigation of the Effectiveness of a Community-Based Parent Education Program to Engage Families in Increasing Language Interactions with their Children
• LENA Team_2020_Children Show Elevated Language Skills One Year After LENA Start