Alabama

States are using talk pedometers, conversation coaches to develop young brains

Both programs rely on technology pioneered by the national nonprofit LENA (Language ENvironment Analysis), which tracks how many conversational turns children hear and provides feedback so parents can make sustainable increases in line with the science.

Birmingham Talks, which aims to make the city America’s sandbox for innovation in early childhood education, is using “talk pedometers” to close literacy gaps for thousands of children.

A profile of Birmingham Talks, one of the Providence Talks replication cities.

The City of Birmingham has made its largest investment ever in early childhood education, with a $1 million investment in Birmingham Talks, an initiative that provides curriculum, innovative technology, and personalized coaching to help build language skills in preschool-aged children.

Having nearly quadrupled their reach in just three years' time, Birmingham Talks is focused on a bright future.

People Fixing the World: How a race to write books and a gadget that counts words are helping child literacy.

After launching its first LENA Start program in the fall of 2020, Birmingham Talks is recruiting families for its next program cycle.

Five cities have been selected to replicate Providence Talks — one of the first early language initiatives implemented at the municipal level — with support from Bloomberg Philanthropies.