When you picture a kindergartener, what do you see?
At LENA, we see a vibrant young child framed by confidence, curiosity, and the ability to communicate and connect. How did they get there? Early talk. Our work through the first five years – focused on positive interactions in early childhood – shapes a child's readiness for school and life.
Webinar: Rethinking School Readiness
Recorded October 30, 2024
"School readiness" often gets tangled in a web of standards and divided responsibilities. So let's simplify it. We're rethinking school readiness by focusing on the essentials: early language skills that form the bedrock of future success.
In this webinar, we'll zoom out to a bigger picture, exploring how early talk leads to school readiness. We’ll also explore how early learning and K-12 systems can collaborate better on preparing children for kindergarten. Together, we'll uncover how fostering quality conversations and better collaboration creates a clear path to positive outcomes.
What We’ll Explore:
- The many facets of school readiness: the landscape, the challenges, the opportunities.
- The new data that shows LENA Grow is equipping children with the language and social skills to meet standards and thrive in school.
- The road ahead, and how we can put all the pieces together to reimagine how early childhood educators prepare kids for school AND how schools prepare for the kids.
Scott McConnell
Professor & Early Education Researcher
Jill Gilkerson
Chief Research and Evaluation Officer, LENA
Jim Duggan
Assistant Superintendent, Bourbonnais School District (IL)
Kelsie Todd
Early Childhood Community Liaison, Henderson County Schools (KY)
Article: Understanding Kindergarten Readiness
Kindergarten readiness (sometimes called "school readiness") means a lot of things to a lot of people ... but what exactly does it mean?
Learning Resource: Early Talk = School Readiness
Prepare young minds for future success at school — by talking with them now!
Article: Measuring LENA Grow’s Impact on Kindergarten Readiness
LENA Grow increases children’s kindergarten readiness assessment scores, according to data from school districts in South Carolina, Kentucky, and Tennessee.
Case Study: Boosting Kindergarten Readiness in Rural Kentucky
Only about two-thirds of children in Kentucky enter kindergarten with the language skills they need to start school strong. LENA Grow has been helping Henderson County Schools improve that number.
