Early Literacy

Music is a powerful “instrument” for fostering early literacy, language development, vocabulary acquisition, and reading readiness

In early childhood education, we talk a lot about building foundations. Preparing children for school. Closing gaps. But 2025 reminded us of something simpler.

In a study of children aged 0-5 at five early learning sites across the U.S., children in LENA Grow classrooms experienced significantly larger gains in TS GOLD language scores compared to a control group. 

In 2020, Preschool Promise received a CLSD subgrant from the Ohio State Department of Education and Workforce. With the CLSD funds, they invested in the LENA Grow professional development program and the CLASS assessment tool.

UNK and the Buffett Early Childhood Institute are partnering with the Nebraska Head Start Association and seven Head Start programs across the state, including: Community Action Partnership of Mid-Nebraska and Western Nebraska, Central Nebraska Community Action Partnership, Educational Service Unit 13, Educare Lincoln, Sarpy County/ESU 3 Head Start and Head Start Child and Family Development Program in central Nebraska.

How can you spark conversation during story time with the infants, toddlers, and preschoolers in your life?

Early literacy success doesn't mean teaching babies to read. They build early literacy skills through simple interactions with caring adults.

Help support meaningful conversations with infants, toddlers, and preschoolers during shared reading time.

With their LENA Grow program, Porter-Leath has produced clear results, including higher i-Ready® kindergarten readiness scores.