Sen. Tim Scott goes to school to learn about LENA

U.S. Sen. Tim Scott met with a parent class at Alma Elementary Friday to learn how young children are developing their language skills through the power of parent talk.

Cherokee County is the first county in South Carolina to use a Language Environment Analysis (LENA) device. Similar to a step counter, LENA provides parents with weekly reports to track conversational turns and the number of words spoken with their children.

Scott stopped into speak with parents about a pilot LENA START small group program started by the Cherokee County School District this school year. The classes provide parents with tips on how to start conversations with children to help them develop their early language skills.