Children have better language skills one year after LENA Start

Children whose families participated in LENA Start are showing elevated language skills one year after the program, an analysis of longitudinal data shows.

LENA’s research team evaluated data from the Developmental Snapshot, a 52-item, parent-completed questionnaire that assesses expressive and receptive language skills in children up to 36 months. The Snapshot is designed to track changes in children’s language skills over time.

Parents filled out the assessment of their children’s skills at the beginning of the LENA Start program as a baseline. They also completed the Snapshot at the midpoint and end of the program, and then LENA sends follow-up Snapshot to parents via text message every six months after graduation.

Data show a majority of children began LENA Start with slightly below-average language skills, but made significant gains during the course of the program, which were sustained 12 months later. Preliminary analysis of children at the 18-month follow-up indicate that the elevated scores may persist even longer.