After a successful first semester earlier this year, the LENA Start program will begin a second round of sessions at the Marathon County Public Library! MCPL will offer its first autumn session of LENA Start on September 13 from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at its Wausau Headquarters, 300 N. First St., Wausau.

The LENA Start system measures the early language environment of children ages birth to 32 months. A LENA “talk pedometer” is given to each family to measure the number of words spoken to children, which in turn provides families with valuable data that they can then use to improve their verbal interactions with their child. Each week, parents and caregivers will receive a printed report and learn helpful talking tips to improve the quality and quantity of talk with the child.

LENA Start sessions run for 13 weeks and will wrap up on Thursday, December 13 (no class will be held on November 22 – Thanksgiving Day). Free childcare will be provided for all LENA Start families. A free book for your child will be given at each session attended. All LENA Start materials are included and a snack or meal is provided free of charge. In addition, there will be special incentives and prizes for families to earn along the way.

In addition to the sessions planned at MCPL Wausau, LENA Start sessions will also be held for 13 weeks at three other locations, including:

• Tuesdays from 5:30-6:30 p.m. at Head Start Barrington Center, 616 Grant St., Wausau (beginning Sept. 11)
• Wednesdays from 12-1 p.m. at North Central Health Care, 1100 Lake View Drive., Wausau (beginning Sept. 12)
• Thursdays from 12-1 p.m. at North Central Technical College, 1000 W. Campus Drive, Wausau (beginning September 13)

Sessions are free, but registration is required. To register, contact Nicole Tank at 715-848-1457, email [email protected] or text 715-660-0397. For more information, call 715-261-7220 or visit www.mcpl.us/lena.