LENA accelerates child language development by using data from “talk pedometers” (small wearable devices that measure the amount of talk and interaction in a child’s environment) to coach parents and caregivers on increasing serve-and-return interactions with children ages zero to three. During 10 weekly sessions, this objective feedback makes parent-child interactions visible and quantifiable, while engaging curriculum highlights the importance of conversation and ways to embed these practices into daily routines.
LENA’s technology-enabled programs for teachers and families couple actionable feedback with coaching to make proven, sustainable increases in the quality and quantity of talk with children. Communities around the world implement these programs to help build stronger families, improve classroom quality, and increase early literacy and school readiness.
Independent evaluations have confirmed that the programs benefit teachers, families, and children alike:
Overdeck Family Foundation’s support has helped LENA decrease costs via improvements to program design and operations, increase programmatic reach by transitioning to virtual delivery, and build further evidence of effectiveness. LENA is also supported by the Paul Family, Valhalla Charitable Foundation, and Arrow Impact.
Enhancing each stage of childhood learning, from birth to high school.
Overdeck Family Foundation focuses exclusively on education, providing funding across four focus areas that encompass the whole child from birth through high school both inside and outside the classroom.