Strong beginnings for babies: families’ language stimulation of infants from low-income backgrounds

ABSTRACT This mixed-methods study investigated a two-year community-based research program, Strong Beginnings for Babies (SBB), designed to support families in using 10 strategies for fostering infant language development. More specifically, the study focused on families of children slated to enter high-poverty schools at kindergarten entry or receiving Medicaid. The research employed Language Environment Analysis (LENA) digital language processors to record the vocalizations/verbalizations of 22 young children as well as those of the older children and adults who interacted with them. Three coaches were hired to work closely with participating families during a series of group sessions, model language promotion strategies, and review LENA reports with families. Analyses of 249 LENA recordings indicated increases in some measures of infants’ home language environments across the program period, particularly in Year One and for families whose initial LENA scores were low. However, there was great variability in the recordings data. The analysis of qualitative data sources, such as parent surveys and interviews with coaches, provided insights into the emotions elicited by LENA data, recording challenges, and additional supports that encouraged family progress.