Transform interactions in child care through job-embedded professional development.
Unique data insights coupled with strengths-based coaching.
LENA Grow is an innovative, research-based professional development program for infant, toddler, and pre-k teachers. Measuring the most predictive elements of child outcomes, LENA Grow supports stakeholders at every level, helping teachers gain the skills to measurably improve classroom quality by boosting interactions and helping leadership make more informed planning and policy decisions.
The program couples LENA’s “talk pedometer” technology with weekly coaching sessions. Teachers gain data insights that go far beyond typical feedback, leading to quality improvement without additional burden on their schedules.
Coaching sessions
leverage a strengths-based approach to develop skills that increase interaction and enhance both child and teacher development. Explore an interactive sample of the coaching content.
The 14 Talking Tips
are simple, research-based tips to increase adult-child connections that integrate easily into existing routines.
LENA technology
captures the language and interactions children experience throughout the day, and creates actionable feedback reports that can be discussed during coaching sessions. Learn more.
The LENA Online™ portal
simplifies program administration and provides access to coaching resources including videos, handouts, and materials to support family engagement.
Training, analysis, and
support
are provided by dedicated LENA staff to help ensure successful implementations with high fidelity.
Coaching sessions leverage a strengths-based approach to develop skills that increase interaction and enhance both child and teacher development. Explore an interactive sample of the coaching materials.
The 14 Talking Tips are simple, research-based tips to increase adult-child connections that integrate easily into existing routines.
LENA technology captures the language and interactions children experience throughout the day, and creates actionable feedback reports that can be discussed during coaching sessions. Learn more.
The LENA Online™ portal simplifies program administration and provides access to coaching resources including videos, handouts, and materials to support family engagement.
Training, analysis, and support are provided by dedicated LENA staff to help ensure successful implementations with high fidelity.
How does LENA Grow work?
Mindfulness of not burdening the teacher is central to the LENA Grow model. All teachers have to do to get detailed, helpful data is switch on LENA devices and put them on the children at the start of day, then take them off when the children leave. During each brief coaching session, which can be delivered virtually or in person, teachers learn tips to increase talk during their normal daily routines. There are no additional activities for teachers to add into their schedule or time required to fit something else into their day.
“Children only grow up once, and they really should have the best experience we can give them. If you can make a difference in these early years, you can really change the entire life of a child.”
– Linda Swedhin, Director of Aspen Center for Child Development
Session Sequence & Coaching Topics
During the program, one LENA Day is followed by a coaching session each week, for a typical program length of about three months. Orientation kicks off the program for teachers, building buy-in and covering initial logistics. At Coaching Session 1, teachers receive their first LENA Grow reports and learn about the brain science behind the program. Coaching Sessions 2-10 follow a standard four-step flow that takes about 20 minutes. Each session is designed to enhance focus on a specific daily care routine. Check out the sample for Session 3: Outdoor Play.
Impacts and outcomes
children served
(and counting!)
increase in conversational turns for children who started out below average
of teachers reported increased job satisfaction and confidence in their teaching abilities
Learn more about LENA’s alignment with the CLASS®
assessment tool
How is LENA Grow implemented?
LENA Grow is highly flexible, and works effectively in both home- and center-based care settings to boost positive interactions between children and caregivers. Explore our collection of case studies and webinars to learn more about how LENA Grow is implemented:
Funding available for new programs: Improve child outcomes and reduce stress with LENA Grow
Our funding partners have stepped forward to help offset some of the program fees for new LENA Grow partnerships. Learn more and apply by clicking below:
For a more detailed overview of the program, watch our short introduction to LENA Grow and read our five-step guide to launching a new LENA program. Then, schedule a time to talk with our partnerships team to explore how we can work together to support the children and teachers in your community.