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3Ts-Let’s Talk

Adapted from the TMW Center’s flagship home-visiting program, 3Ts-Let’s Talk reinforces parents’ understanding of the critical role their talk and interaction play in their children’s foundational brain development, and shares research-based strategies to enhance that development. Developed for both English- and Spanish-speaking families, each session consists of interactive review of multimedia content, group discussions, practice activities, quantitative feedback on language environments, and real-time coaching led by a skilled facilitator. Designed for virtual implementation, one of the defining features of 3Ts-Let’s Talk is the opportunity it provides to build community with other parents and harness the social capital that results from individuals learning alongside one another.

A preliminary review of pilot data suggests that the 3Ts-Let’s Talk program may change parental knowledge and expectations related to early language and cognitive development, as measured by the TMW Center’s SPEAK survey tool. To date, hundreds of parents have participated in the program in six cities across the country, with plans to expand the intervention to more cities in the coming years. Feedback from program participants has been overwhelmingly positive. As one 3Ts-Let’s Talk graduate said, “This has been a great experience and a good reminder of how you can be an active part of your child’s development on a daily basis.”

Video Use the 3Ts to Narrate

This video offers a real-life example of a mom using the 3Ts to narrate an everyday event: getting baby dressed!

Video Your Child's Brain is Like a Piggy Bank

Think of your child’s brain like a piggy bank. Every word you say is a coin in the bank. The more you talk, the richer your child’s brain gets. The more you invest now, the richer your child will be later.

Video Importance of Early Experiences

This video explains how early experiences, particularly nurturing talk and interaction, help promote brain development.

Video Catch Your Child Being Good

This video shows what it looks like to “catch your child being good,” which can help reinforce positive behavior and strengthen neural connections.

Journal Article Development of the Survey of Parent/Provider Expectations and Knowledge (SPEAK)

This study reported the development and initial validation of the Survey of Parent/Provider Expectations and Knowledge (SPEAK), a self-administered questionnaire assessing expectations and knowledge about early childhood cognitive and language development.