SCLC Teachers Strengthen Classroom Conversations Through LENA Grow

In 2026, SCLC participated in LENA Grow, an evidence-based, job-embedded professional development program for early childhood educators. The program helps teachers build meaningful connections with every child by increasing conversational turns—the back-and-forth exchanges that occur when a child speaks or communicates and an adult responds.

From an Exceptional Start to Even Stronger Results

SCLC began the five-week program with an already outstanding early-language environment. During our first LENA Day, classrooms averaged approximately 46 conversational turns per child per hour—far exceeding the typical childcare average of 15 to 25.

By the end of the program, our teachers had increased that average to an extraordinary 58 conversational turns per child per hour.

What LENA Grow Had to Say About SCLC

“It is worth noting that SCLC’s first LENA Day average was very high—about 46 turns per hour. Childcare averages are often between 15 and 25 turns per hour. Your baseline was on par with home environments, but even more impressive, you were able to increase that rate all the way to 58 turns per hour.

“This data is a testament to the collaborative culture, instructional practices, and wonderful teachers—all of you—that SCLC already has in place. It is also evidence of how you leveraged interaction strategies and your LENA reports to create an even more robust learning environment. In short, I could sing your praises all day!”

—Senior Data Analyst, LENA Grow

Every Conversation Helps a Child Grow

At SCLC, we believe meaningful learning begins with connection. Every question, response, story, and shared moment gives a child an opportunity to develop confidence, express an idea, and strengthen essential communication skills.

Our LENA Grow results affirm what we see in our classrooms every day: SCLC teachers do more than speak to children—they listen, respond, and help every child find their voice.