MUSCATINE, Iowa–The Musser Public Library is offering another cohort of LENA (Learning ENvironmental Analysis) to guide parents and adult caregivers in helping children ages zero to three develop their minds, particularly in the area of language skills.
The no-cost program still has openings. It will begin in mid-June and lasts 10 weeks.
During the program – at home and everywhere – participating children wear a small recording device. A shirt with a pocket for the device is provided. The device tracks how many words the people in their lives speak to them and their number of interactions. It does not record what words are being said.
Parents and caregivers meet weekly with the children’s librarians to learn more about how to talk to children up through age three in an engaging and understandable manner. They also receive books for the children. Children are welcome at these sessions, but their attendance is not required.
Our local LENA program is funded by a combination of an Early Childhood Iowa – Muscatine County grant and MPL funding.
Children’s Librarian Betty Collins encourages anyone interested to sign up for the next cohort by sending an email to her at [email protected] or calling her at 563-263-3065.
