FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
New Mexico Adds to Early Childhood Education Investment with LENA Grow
Louisville, CO — November 10, 2025 — LENA, a national nonprofit organization dedicated to transforming lives through early talk, announced a groundbreaking partnership with the New Mexico Early Childhood Education and Care Department (ECECD). Under a new statewide contract, ECECD will expand the reach of LENA Grow, an evidence-based professional development program that helps early childhood educators strengthen teacher–child interactions. ECECD leads the nation’s efforts to ensure all young children and families have access to quality early learning and care.
As LENA’s largest state-level partnership to date, valued at up to $2.73 million, LENA Grow will launch in 100 New Mexico classrooms Spring 2026, with continued expansion over the following 2 years. Thanks to the State’s investment, participating early childhood education centers will enjoy the program at no cost.
LENA Grow features a sequence of five “LENA Days” in the classroom — during which children wear a small device that captures the language environment — with weekly one-on-one coaching sessions. Teachers receive objective feedback on their classroom talk and learn strategies to increase the back-and-forth conversations that are proven to boost brain development, early literacy, and kindergarten readiness.
The program has been shown to improve both child outcomes – including improving school readiness by 2x – and teacher satisfaction, with 96% of teachers recommending LENA Grow.Centers have also been proven to benefit from stronger classroom quality and improved teacher retention.
“New Mexico is committed to giving every child the strongest possible start,” said Elizabeth Groginsky, Cabinet Secretary of the New Mexico Early Childhood Education and Care Department (ECECD). “Through this partnership with LENA, ECECD is equipping early childhood educators with innovative, evidence-based tools that strengthen the vital back-and-forth interactions children need to build language, literacy, and lifelong learning skills. By investing in teachers, ECECD is investing in New Mexico’s children, families, and future.”
“This investment demonstrates New Mexico’s national leadership on early childhood,” said Steve Hannon, LENA President and CEO. “In addition to their profound commitment to universal child care, the state is supporting teachers with job-embedded professional development and laying groundwork for stronger literacy and long-term success for children.”
Child care centers and preschools interested in participating are encouraged to visit lena.org/lets-grow-new-mexico to learn more and apply.
About LENA
LENA is a national nonprofit on a mission is to transform children’s futures through early talk technology and data-driven programs. Used by educators, researchers, and clinicians all over the world, LENA measures a child’s language environment and provides vital feedback to improve child outcomes through interactions. For more information, visit LENA.org
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Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham launched the New Mexico Early Childhood Education and Care Department (ECECD) in 2020, making New Mexico among the first states to consolidate all early childhood programs and services under a single cabinet-level agency. Under this administration, ECECD has led the nation by expanding access to free New Mexico PreK, overseeing the largest investment in early childhood infrastructure in state history, and implementing cost-free child care for a majority of New Mexico families. Learn more about how ECECD supports children, families, and the early childhood professionals that serve our communities at nmececd.org. On Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram as @NewMexicoECECD.
Contact Information:
Curtis Kuhn
curtiskuhn@lena.org
303-441-9018