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Help spread the word about the importance of early talk!

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Make Every Interaction Count

Use our customizable Canva templates below to share and spotlight how teachers and caregivers in your community are making interactions with young children count!

Early Talk Builds Babies' Brains

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A man sits on the floor holding a baby and reading, next to text: “Did you know? The amount of back-and-forth conversations that young children experience is linked to brain development, language skills, social & emotional development, and intelligence.”. — Conversational turns, serve-and-return interactions, back-and-forth exchanges. Whatever you call them, they’re crucial. Learn how @LENAearlytalk is helping caregivers focus on early talk with its ‘talk pedometer’ technology. Visit lena.org/technology.

According to the Harvard Center on the Developing Child, early childhood is the most active period for brain growth. Early talk is a critical catalyst for that growth! Learn more from @LENAearlytalk at lena.org/conversational-turns-research.

A smiling adult with a beard lies down facing a baby who looks at them closely. Text on a purple background reads: "Did you know? Young children process spoken language at 1/5 the speed of an adult. Always wait for their response!. — LENA Talking Tip #7 Wait for their response. Children need time to process language before they form a response! Learn more about how children process language at https://www.lena.org/conversational-turns/.

Serve-and-return interactions, or conversational turns, are one of the most predictive metrics of a baby’s long-term well-being. Even a newborn baby benefits from early talk! Learn more from @LENAearlytalk at lena.org/conversational-turns.

Improving early language development for toddlers and infants is one of the most impactful and cost-effective ways to improve their brain development. Stream a webinar from @LENAearlytalk to learn more: info.lena.org/conversational-turns-webinar.

1 in 4 children comes to kindergarten without the skills they need to succeed. Research shows that focusing on talking to children more when they’re babies increases their school readiness. Learn more from @LENAearlytalk at lena.org/huntsville-schools-longitudinal-evaluation.

The amount of conversation children experience during the first few years of life varies widely. This ‘early talk gap’ leads directly to the ‘achievement gap’ later in school. There’s a simple solution: More early talk! Learn more from @LENAearlytalk at lena.org/achievement-gap.

It’s true! Researchers from @LENAearlytalk have found that the number of conversational turns children experience between 18 and 24 months of age correlate to their IQ 10 years later! Learn more at lena.org/longitudinal-study.

Having back-and-forth interactions with babies is so important for their brain development. But what’s the right amount of talk that parents and caregivers should aim for? Researchers from @LENAearlytalk have found out. Download the report at info.lena.org/inside-early-talk.

LENA (@LENAearlytalk) is a nonprofit that works with school districts, hospitals, Head Start sites, library systems, and universities around the world to accelerate language development in children birth to three. Learn more about their programs at lena.org/implement-LENA.

According to the Harvard Center on the Developing Child, early childhood is the most active period for brain growth Parents, grandparents, teachers, and other caregivers can all help build babies’ brains! Learn more from @LENAearlytalk at lena.org/conversational-turns-research.

The 14 Talking Tips

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A #TalkingTip from @LENAearlytalk: At bedtime, hold up a stuffed bear, hug the bear, and then give the bear to your baby to touch and hug. Narrate the action ‘Hug’ as they do it, so they learn the word to the action! Download the 14 Talking Tips: info.lena.org/14-talking-tips.

A colorful graphic with the title "Let's Talk About Clothing Changes!" shows a shirt, hat, and socks. A speech bubble suggests: "Offer choices—Which arm goes in first? Do you want the zipper up or down?. — A #TalkingTip from @LENAearlytalk: During clothing changes with your infant, tie a balloon above them when they are on their back, and turn on the fan! When your baby notices it, talk about how the balloon is moving. Download the 14 Talking Tips: info.lena.org/14-talking-tips.

A colorful graphic about hand-washing. It shows purple hands with soap, a faucet, and soap dispenser. A speech bubble gives tips for explaining hand-washing to kids. "Let's Talk About Hand-washing!" is written on the left. — A #TalkingTip from @LENAearlytalk: Washing hands with an infant or toddler can be opportunity for a moment of meaningful interaction. Tune in and respond to what they look at, do, and say! Download the 14 Talking Tips: info.lena.org/14-talking-tips.

A #TalkingTip from @LENAearlytalk: Join in when your toddler is playing with their toys! If dinosaurs are popular with them, try commenting on their make-believe dino adventures: ‘Your T-Rex looks very fierce!’ Download the 14 Talking Tips: info.lena.org/14-talking-tips.

Illustration of a playground with a slide and swing, a sun, and a bird giving advice: "Encourage action! Climbing, crawling, hanging, sliding. Talk about new accomplishments." Text says, "Let's Talk About Outdoor Play!. — A #TalkingTip from @LENAearlytalk: When you’re on a walk with an infant, notice what interests them. Talk about what they’re doing. For example: ‘You’re gurgling and waving your arms! Are you excited to be on a walk?’ Download the 14 Talking Tips: info.lena.org/14-talking-tips.

A #TalkingTip from @LENAearlytalk: Animate stories you read by pausing to make exaggerated facial expressions that show the different emotions in the book. Use big and small hand gestures to describe an item’s size. Download the 14 Talking Tips: info.lena.org/14-talking-tips

A colorful graphic with the text “Let's Talk About Songs & Rhymes!” and “Talking Tip #9: Make faces, use gestures.” Features a radio, drum, musical notes, and a bird saying, “Exaggerate your facial expressions.”. — A #TalkingTip from @LENAearlytalk: Hold your toddler on your knee and bounce them to each word in a nursery rhyme. They’ll love the rhythm! Use exaggerated facial expressions to bring the story to life. Download the 14 Talking Tips: info.lena.org/14-talking-tips.

A #TalkingTip from @LENAearlytalk: Talk about what you’re doing as you transition between activities at home. ‘Mommy is getting ready to work on my computer. First I’ll get a snack. Do you want a snack while you color?’ Download the 14 Talking Tips: info.lena.org/14-talking-tips.

Colorful graphic about screen time featuring a TV, popcorn, and cartoon birds. Text encourages talking about what’s on screen with children by asking open-ended questions like “What do you think will happen next?”. — A #TalkingTip from @LENAearlytalk: Screen time is an opportunity for interaction! Instead of watching TV passively, ask children what their favorite characters are doing, or ask them what they think might happen next. Download the 14 Talking Tips: info.lena.org/14-talking-tips.

Practical advice from LENA’s Inside Early Talk report

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A purple graphic with the text "How to build more back-and-forth. Double down: each time you get one back-and-forth exchange with your child, try to make it two!" Beside the text is an illustration of an adult lifting a child. — Having back-and-forth interactions with young children is so important for brain development, even when they’re infants and toddlers. @LENAearlytalk reminds us to double down. If you have one ‘conversational turn,’ go for two! Download the full graphic at info.lena.org/more-talk.

Illustration of an adult and a child building a tower with blocks. Text reads: “How to build more back-and-forth. Tune in and respond to what they look at, do, and say. Notice what your child is interested in and engage with them.”. — Having back-and-forth interactions with young children is so important for brain development, even when they’re infants and toddlers. @LENAearlytalk reminds us to pay attention to what they’re interested in. Download the full graphic at info.lena.org/more-talk.

A parent stands by a crib, engaging with a toddler. Text reads: "How to build more back-and-forth. Avoid interrupting or appearing disinterested when your child tries to talk back to you or to get your attention. — Having back-and-forth interactions with young children is so important for brain development, even when they’re infants and toddlers. @LENAearlytalk reminds us to avoid interrupting your child when they engage with you. Download the full graphic at info.lena.org/more-talk.

Having back-and-forth interactions with young children is so important for brain development, even when they’re infants and toddlers. @LENAearlytalk found out that the families who talk the most aren’t doing it all the time! Download the full graphic at info.lena.org/more-talk.

Illustration of an adult talking to a child in a high chair, with text: "How to make more time for talk. Talk about what you’re doing and thinking. Turn daily routines and activities into opportunities for talk. — Having back-and-forth interactions with young children is so important for brain development, even when they’re infants and toddlers. @LENAearlytalk reminds us to turn your everyday routines into conversations! Download the full graphic at info.lena.org/more-talk.

Having back-and-forth interactions with young children is so important for brain development, even when they’re infants and toddlers. @LENAearlytalk reminds us to make screen time interactive. Talk about what’s happening! Download the full graphic at info.lena.org/more-talk.

Social Media Toolkit

Help spread the word about the importance of early talk!

Make Every Interaction Count

Early Talk Builds Babies' Brains

The 14 Talking Tips

Practical advice from LENA’s Inside Early Talk report

Share these videos about early talk.

Get the latest from LENA:

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Social Media Toolkit

Help spread the word about the importance of early talk!

Make Every Interaction Count

Early Talk Builds Babies' Brains

The 14 Talking Tips

Practical advice from LENA’s Inside Early Talk report

Share these videos about early talk.

Language Isolation in Early Childhood Classrooms

Inside Early Talk

The Power of Conversational Turns

Dr. Rachel Romero on conversational turns