Read Aloud families find success in LENA Start program
When Read Aloud Delaware partnered with the LENA Start program in September 2020, the statewide children’s literacy program organizers were excited to offer parents and caregivers a chance to measure, improve and make the most of their verbal connections with young children.
Since then, the 26 participating families statewide have made great strides in interactive talk and shared reading time with their children ages birth to 3 years.
LENA Start is a free program for parents that uses feedback from technology referred to as a talk pedometer to help improve talk in the home. Over the course of about three months, parents and caregivers learn about the importance of interactive talk along with ways to incorporate more talk into their daily routines.
Recent data shows that children whose parents participate in the program, including attending weekly workshops, are gaining over two months of developmental skills every month.
Jenna Montgomery of Wilmington, who participated in the program with her son Skyler, experienced that growth firsthand. “My child really flourished with his language development,” said Montgomery. “And we developed a better communication between us.”
Vanessa Gallaher of Newark understands the program’s emphasis on the youngest children. “Even from a very young age, your child is listening and interacting with you,” said Gallaher, whose son Obadiah was a recent participant in the program.
Shared book-reading time is emphasized in the program. Parents report spending 73 percent more time reading to their children at the end of the program than at the beginning, adding 14 more minutes to their daily reading time. Montgomery said, “Another wonderful surprise was my son’s newfound love of reading, to the point that he demands several books in a row.”
Elaina Fisher and daughter Emily of New Castle are graduates of the program. “This program is valuable for every type of parent, new or seasoned,“ said Fisher. “They teach ways to reincorporate learning/reading through play so it doesn’t feel so inundating.”
Stephan and Lottie Zapisek of Wilmington agree. “LENA Start really helped me learn how to teach my child through everyday situations. It has made me more mindful about how to talk to and incorporate my child into my everyday routine,” said Stephan Zapisek. “I am so thankful that LENA and Read Aloud Delaware provided this opportunity to me and my family.” Their son Joseph is a proud graduate of the LENA Start program.
Read Aloud Delaware and LENA Start will offer another session for parents beginning from noon to 1 p.m., every Thursday, July 1 to Sept. 2, via Zoom.
Interested families can attend a more detailed information session at 10 a.m., Tuesdays.
For more information or to register, go to readalouddelaware.org/lenastart or contact James Spadola at jspadola@readalouddelaware.org or 302-656-5256.
