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Life with LENA:
Real testimonials from Real parents – just like you
 After I watched the videos on the lenababy.com Resources Page, I went right to the library!
I no longer feel that I am wasting words by speaking to an infant. Sometimes parents feel ridiculous speaking to someone who can’t speak back, but now that my daughter is starting to recognize how words are matching up to objects, it makes it all worth it!
I am more aware of making conversations with my daughter and I can notice a major difference between her and my other children. When comparing my daughter’s growth to my son at that age, she is much more verbal and responds verbally to her surroundings.
The most invaluable thing about LENA is that it has made me more conscious of how our behavior affects Hope. Seeing her shine is
priceless. 
- Heather Holtrop, mother of Hope
“When comparing my daughter’s growth to my son at that age, she is much more verbal... Seeing her shine is priceless.”
 Using LENA has made me realize how much more I can incorporate talk during the day. I am reading more books to him. When talking about pictures and plot, we are adding even more words and conversational turns.
We also sing a lot of songs together, which has more words than someone might think!
I thought with having 3 other children we would well exceed our word counts, since there is a lot of conversation going on. However, I was surprised to see that I probably ended up talking less to the youngest out of necessity. I have really picked up on making our quiet times alone more productive.
I am much more aware of how much I am talking out loud to my infant and I am more purposeful in finding ways to incorporate more words in our day now.
The best part about using LENA is seeing Brycen engage in more "conversations" with me. I feel he has gotten more verbal and responsive than his brothers were at that age. I love that I can visually "see" how many words he is hearing a day.
- Megan Colombo, mother of Brycen
Share your story and be featured in LENA News! Click here.
Research Participants
Wanted!
Infoture is seeking families with children younger than 30 months who have been formally diagnosed with autism for the
LENA Autism Research Study.
- The LENA Autism Study will help researchers investigate the potential of LENA for early identification and treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorders.
- Participants record their child’s speech/vocalizations once a week with LENA for 7 weeks. Recordings begin in January.
- For participating, earn $85 per session. (up to $880 in 7 weeks!)
- There is no cost to you, and no one comes to your home.
- Call Infoture, Inc. at 1-866-503-9917 to speak with recruitment assistants, or email theLENAproject@infoture.org.
For more information, visit www.lenababy.com/autismstudy/
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Ask the Expert
Dr. Joanne Baum is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, a Board Certified Diplomat in Clinical Social Work, and a Certified Alcoholism Counselor, Level III. She has authored four books including her recent book, Got the Baby…Where’s the Manual?!? She has a private practice in Evergreen, Colorado. For more information, please visit respectfulparenting.com.
With all the toys my child received during the holidays, how can I maintain an interest in reading?
The first thing is to change how you think about reading. If you look at reading as a passive or boring activity, throw out those old perceptions and get ready for a whole new approach to reading!
Look at reading time with your child as a fun, interactive time to connect with your child. You can start by sitting close to each other, cuddle style, or have your child sit on your lap. Your child can help turn pages - when you both decide it’s time to turn the page.
Now here’s the big challenge for your creativity: How much can you find to talk about with your child on every page? Please notice I said “with your child” not “to your child.” It’s not just about the words on the page; it’s what you make the page into with your child, and what opportunities and possibilities you two create.
Here are some examples: Share feelings that the story evokes in both of you. You can each guess what may happen on the next page or find and discuss the “lesson” of the book.
You can have a conversation with your child at any age, even with a non-verbal child. Have them make a sound, point, watch your lips, watch them giggle – you can talk about colors, shapes, big and small, old and young, families, sounds, sights, and even memories sparked by the book.
When reading becomes a time to truly connect with your child, to see how your child’s mind works, and to enjoy each other, you will be surprised by how many years beyond the toddler years this timeless activity can extend.
Submit a question for our experts: Click here.
In the news
Have you heard?
...the latest and greatest on child development research
- Fundamental skills pre-kindergarten has its advantages, November 11, 2007
Research shows when kids enter kindergarten with a good grasp of fundamental math and reading concepts, they do far better in school in the long run.
Read more
- Research finds firstborns gain higher I.Q., June 22, 2007
A new study settles a half-century debate about the relationship between I.Q. and birth order.
Read more
- Psychologists Test the Effects of Household Noise on Children’s Verbal Development, Sept. 1, 2005
Can the noise level inside your house actually make it harder for your baby to learn to talk?
Read more
Did you know?
Simply talking with your child is more powerful than any combination of flashcards, computer programs, television or DVDs.
Is your child hearing enough?
Talking Tips
For talking tips, and a new, fun and easy Talking Tip of the Month, visit www.lenababy.com!
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Be featured in the next LENA eNewsletter! Submit your unique stories, questions, and tips! Submit!
Infoture, 5525 Central Avenue, Boulder, CO, 80301-2820
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