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Empowered Teachers Empower Children

Supporting Early Childhood Educator Success

Why Do We Focus on Teacher Support?

Early childhood educators are the backbone of our educational system. Historically, though, they have seen little respect and support. Today, early childhood educators face unprecedented challenges. This results in burnout, turnover, and diminished classroom quality.

Supporting teachers is essential for:

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Creating stable, high-quality learning environments

A caregiver sits on the floor reading to a group of toddlers, who are looking at picture books in a colorful classroom with toys and artwork on the walls.

Improving child outcomes across all developmental domains

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Building strong relationships among educators, children, and families

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Maintaining program quality and financial stability

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Keeping skilled professionals in the field

The Teacher-Child Connection

Teacher success and early childhood development are connected through the power of positive interactions. When early childhood teachers form secure, responsive relationships with children, they become what researchers call “secondary attachments.” 

Research shows that these relationships:

  • Create a buffer against toxic stress for vulnerable children
  • Promote stronger emotional regulation in young learners
  • Relate directly with improved social skills in kindergarten
  • Form the foundation for academic success throughout schooling
  • Support brain development during critical early years
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When Early Childhood Teachers Thrive, Children Flourish

Conversational turns — simple back-and-forth interactions between a child and an adult — are a huge part of children’s brain growth. And they also build teacher confidence, satisfaction, and staying power.

The power of these interactions creates a positive cycle:

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Brain Growth

Children develop stronger language, social, and cognitive skills
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Impact

Teachers quickly see evidence of their impact on children’s lives
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Teacher Retention

Early educators see the difference they’re making

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Learning Environment

Early childhood programs see higher classroom quality and less turnover
What IS a conversational turn?

See conversational turns in action

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Early Educators Stay When They See Their Impact

LENA Grow is exactly the kind of program that helps educators see their impact. LENA Grow measures the back and forth conversations children experience with their teachers throughout the day. This program:

  • Provides objective feedback on interactive talk with children
  • Recognizes teachers’ strengths instead of focusing on deficits
  • Creates a supportive coach-teacher relationship based on data
  • Builds teachers’ confidence in their critical role in children’s development
  • Empowers educators to see their impact in real-time
  • Offers bite-sized, achievable strategies that fit into existing routines

The result? When teachers participate in LENA Grow, they are twice as likely to stay in their positions compared to educators who don’t participate.

Say Hello to LENA Grow!

Why Teachers Love LENA Grow

A 5-week professional development program giving early childhood educators proof that what they do makes a big impact.

96% Recommend to Other Teachers

90% Report Increased Confidence

88% Experience Higher Job Satisfaction

Setting Children and Teachers Up for Success

Early childhood educators deserve meaningful, affirming professional development. Their profession is important. And Investing in teachers helps them see that. It also helps them manage classroom challenges and make an even bigger difference in children’s lives.

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Magic. Amazing. It makes me feel I’m on the right path. If I’m consistent and I’m using all these tips and strategies, then definitely I see the results.

– Yuliya Wilkins, pre-K teacher in Dade City, Fla.

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Ready to Transform Teacher Success in Your Program?

Invest in your teachers’ success and watch your entire early childhood program thrive. Whether you’re looking to implement LENA Grow, partner with us, or simply learn more about how conversational turns build stronger teachers and smarter children, we’d love to connect.
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