Home Literacy Environment Research Articles

A Parent’s Multimodal Support to Bilingual Child’s Reading: A Case Study of Korean Immigrant Family

ABSTRACT Shared reading is a practice for promoting children’s literacy that parents may utilize at home. In particular, multimodal interactions between a parent and a child can play a role in fostering bilingual children’s reading experiences. This qualitative case study explores how a Korean bilingual mother multimodally supports her child’s shared reading practices. Data sources include an online survey, a monthly reading log, two home visit video observations, and a parent interview. Four multimodal cues are classified throughout the reading: pointing, hand gestures, nodding, and audio language. The three emerging themes of the parent’s nonverbal language in support of the child’s literacy practices include assisting in guessing vocabulary and meaning, drawing attention, and encouraging confidence. The implications of the study are discussed with regards to better promoting a home literacy environment, along with the open communication of relevant messages to parents and educators to offer more support for bilingual students.

The relationship between the home literacy environment and development of orthographic skills in Chinese beginning readers

Within the framework of the home literacy model, this study investigated the relationship between home formal and informal literacy experiences and the development of orthographic skills among Chinese beginning readers. A total of 143 children and their parents participated in the study, with parents completing questionnaires on family background and home literacy environment, and children completing orthography identification and selection tasks. The results indicated that children who had just entered primary school could differentiate character-like stimuli from non-character-like stimuli and exhibited some knowledge of radicals and awareness of radical positions. Both home formal and informal literacy experiences were significantly correlated with children’s performance in various orthographic skills. However, after controlling for factors such as children’s age, gender, parents’ education, and family income, and simultaneously considering both formal and informal literacy experiences, only the informal literacy environment significantly predicted children’s performance on various orthographic skills. These findings suggest that home literacy environments, particularly informal home literacy experiences, play a crucial role in supporting the development of children’s orthographic skills.

Home Literacy Environment of Young Children in Xinjiang, China

This study used qualitative descriptive research methods in order to explore the home literacy environment (HLE) of young children within the Chinese sociocultural context, aiming to identify its key components. Thirty parents of children aged 3 to 6 residing in the capital city of Xinjiang, China, were purposefully sampled for this study. In-depth interviews were conducted to explore several key areas: the home physical literacy environment, parental beliefs and practices regarding literacy learning, specific parent-child literacy activities and interactions, and parental literacy habits. The results revealed that Chinese parents predominantly perceive literacy as the acquisition of reading and writing skills. They frequently engaged in informal activities that supported emergent literacy, often without fully recognising the benefits of these practices. Parents claimed a relatively rich resources that promoted language and literacy learning, and the quality of parent-child interactions was closely linked to family SES and adult’s responsiveness. Technology plays a significant role in the Home Literacy Environment (HLE), but its optimal use for promoting literacy is still not well understood, highlighting the need to incorporate digital aspects of HLE into future research. The study also uncovered distinctive family structures in China, where extended family members and neighbourhood peers contribute to children's HLE. Additionally, parents often grapple with academic pressures and a lack of knowledge about child development, which leads them to reinforce school practices while simultaneously questioning traditional methods. This study advocates for a broader framework of HLE in future research, particularly focusing on children under 6 years old.

Home literacy environment mediated socioeconomic status’ impact on handwriting skill of children with intellectual disabilities

Objectives Mastering Chinese handwriting is a fundamental skill, yet it poses a challenging task for children with intellectual disability (ID). Socioeconomic status (SES) and home literacy environment (HLE) are two important family factors known to influence children’s academic achievement. This study aimed to explore the HLE’s role in SES’ influence on Chinese handwriting skill of children with ID. Methods Chinese handwriting skill was tested directly on 192 children with ID (7-12 years old), while SES and HLE questionnaires were completed by their parents. Data entry, analysis and structural equation modeling were performed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences software. Results SES was shown not directly correlated with any of the three handwriting skills (β = 0.02, p > 0.05). Instead, the former influenced the latter indirectly via HLE; informal HLE played a complete intermediary role in this relationship (SES-informal HLE: β = 0.42, p < 0.001; informal HLE-handwriting skill: β = 0.41, p < 0.001), while formal HLE had no effect (SES-formal HLE: β = 0.34, p < 0.001; formal HLE-handwriting skill: β=-0.10, p > 0.05). Conclusions SES influences Chinese handwriting of children with ID via mediation by informal HLE. These findings emphasize the importance of maintaining high SES and creating rich HLE in the development of Chinese handwriting skill of children with ID.

The home literacy environment of school-age autistic children with high support needs.

As a group, autistic children with high support needs (with adaptive functioning in the range of an intellectual disability) are at risk of significant literacy difficulties. We investigated the parent-reported home literacy environment of this group of children. Sixty-two parents of autistic children (4.5 to 18.25 years) attending an autism-specific school completed a home literacy survey reporting on their child's: (1) alphabet knowledge, (2) interest in reading, (3) activities/interactions around books, (4) reading ability, and (5) writing ability. We found significant positive correlations between parent-reported child interest in reading and literacy-related interactions and skills, but not with child age. Children using spoken words to communicate obtained significantly greater scores on four home-literacy subscales, but not on reading interest. A better understanding of the home literacy activities of autistic children with high-support needs is needed to inform educational practices aimed at promoting literacy development in this vulnerable population.

The Influence of Parents’ Beliefs and Home Literacy Environment on Preschoolers’ Attitudes toward Learning English as a Foreign Language

There are concerns about the negative impact of early English instruction on preschoolers’ attitudes, especially regarding parents’ beliefs (PB) and certain home literacy environments (HLE). However, limited research exists on how these factors influence young children’s attitudes toward learning English. This study examined the impact of PB and HLE on preschoolers’ attitudes toward learning English as a Foreign Language (EFL). Purposive sampling was utilized to select potential respondents from 14 administrative regions within Zhengzhou, China. A survey was conducted among 405 primary caregivers of English preschool learners, focusing on family demographics, perceptions of early English education, HLE, and preschoolers’ learning attitudes. The data were analysed using partial least squares (PLS) analysis in structural equation modelling (SEM). Results affirmed how preschoolers’ HLE significantly and distinctly influences their EFL learning attitudes via formal and informal learning activities as well as resource availability. Specifically, English literacy resources were found to shape preschool-age children’s affective and cognitive attitudes, while caregiver reports on informal English learning at home has a predominant effect on preschoolers’ behavioural attitude. Moreover, access to literacy resources at home serves as a critical intermediary between PB about the value of English education and preschoolers’ cognitive attitude. These findings underline the importance of a supportive HLE and the benefits of interventions designed to modify parents’ beliefs in fostering preschoolers’ favorable attitudes toward EFL learning.

Caregivers’ reports of the home literacy environments of children with developmental language disorder and typically developing peers during the COVID-19 pandemic

Purpose Children with developmental language disorder (DLD) are at heightened risk for reading difficulty. We investigated the home literacy environments of kindergarten children with DLD and typically developing (TD) peers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Method We analysed scores from standardised assessments of oral language, nonverbal intelligence, and word reading in conjunction with home literacy questionnaire data at three time points. Result Frequency of engagement in home literacy activities did not differ by group during school closures or when schools reopened. Caregivers from both groups reported increased home literacy engagement during closures. Engagement returned to pre-pandemic levels when schools reopened. For the DLD group, the child’s word reading ability and interest in literacy were positively associated with the home literacy environment. Family history of language and/or literacy difficulty was negatively associated with the home literacy environment. For the TD group, only the child’s interest in literacy was positively associated with the home literacy environment. Conclusion These findings elucidate the need for further research related to home literacy and families of children with DLD, with a focus on identifying potential strengths and vulnerabilities related to child and caregiver factors.

Intergenerational Effects on Children’s Reading Comprehension in Chinese: Evidence from a 3-Year Longitudinal Study

ABSTRACT Purpose We examined whether the relations between home literacy environment (HLE), children’s independent reading, and emergent literacy and reading skills are confounded by parents’ reading skills (a genetic proxy). Method One hundred eighty-nine Chinese children (M age = 74.26 months, 40% female) were followed from kindergarten to Grade 2 and were assessed on emergent literacy skills (pinyin knowledge, phonological awareness, and vocabulary) and word reading in kindergarten and on reading comprehension in Grade 2. Their parents (both mothers and fathers) were also assessed on reading (word reading and reading comprehension) and completed questionnaires on HLE (code-related activities, meaning-related activities, and access to literacy resources) in kindergarten and their children’s independent reading in Grade 2. Results Results of structural equation modeling showed that access to literacy resources was associated with children’s vocabulary, and code-related activities indirectly predicted reading comprehension through pinyin knowledge after controlling for parents’ reading skills. Parents’ reading skills indirectly predicted children’s reading comprehension through children’s independent reading. Conclusion Code-related activities and access to literacy resources may have a true effect on children’s reading development over and above the effect of parents’ reading skills as a proxy for genetic transmission. The children of parents with better reading skills may engage in more independent reading, which may be related to their better reading comprehension.

The role of cumulative family risks in the relationship between executive functioning and school readiness

This study investigated the roles of cumulative family risks and executive functioning (EF) in explaining preschool children’s school readiness. The cumulative family risks comprised family socioeconomic status (SES), home literacy environment (HLE), and familial risk of dyslexia (FRD). The participants were 955 first-year kindergarten children (Mage = 3.53 years, SD=0.41, 46.60 % girls) and their parents (Mage = 35.56 years, SD=6.31, 82.7 % mothers) from Hong Kong, China. The parents completed a survey package measuring their children’s school readiness, EF skills, and the three above-mentioned cumulative family risks. Hierarchical regression analysis, controlling for children’s age and gender, was performed to test the unique contributions of EF and the profiles of cumulative family risks to school readiness. The results showed that in addition to the significant role of EF, HLE risk was significantly associated with school readiness. The association between EF and school readiness was significantly weaker in children with three or more family risks than in their peers. The findings highlight the necessity of developing family education and school–family–community collaboration programs to enhance the school readiness of children, especially those with multiple family risks.

The home literacy environment and children’s emergent literacy development: a follow-up study

The home literacy environment and children’s emergent literacy development: a follow-up study

Hebrew–Russian Bilingual Children's Early Literacy Skills: The Roles of the Home Literacy Environment and Mothers' Writing Support

AbstractToday, many children worldwide grow up in bilingual or multilingual families. This study explores early literacy development in Russian–Hebrew bilingual families in Israel. It studies the contribution of the home literacy environment (HLE), the language of communication, and the nature of the maternal writing support in Hebrew and Russian, to children's early literacy skills in the two languages. Participants were 61 Israeli children (4–6 years old) and their mothers. The mothers completed questionnaires about home literacy activities in both languages and were videotaped while supporting their child in writing a list of eight words in Hebrew and Russian. Children's early literacy skills (phonological awareness, letter knowledge, and word recognition) were assessed in both languages. Results showed that mothers adjusted their writing support not only to the child's skills but also to the particular orthography. The HLE and aspects of mothers' writing support predicted their children's early literacy skills, not only within each language but also in cross‐language models. The literacy activities provided at home and the nature of mothers' support seem to link to the children's literacy outcomes. The results stress the importance of parents' explicit efforts to support children's early literacy skills in both heritage and societal languages.

Bilingual families and the home literacy environment: An examination of English and ethnic language activities and outcomes

BackgroundAccumulating evidence shows that the home literacy environment (HLE) has a potent and early influence on children's language and literacy development. However, there is a more limited understanding of HLE and its contribution to children's outcomes for simultaneous bilingual children exposed to two languages at home, particularly in the Asian context.MethodsIn this study with 801 six‐year‐old bilingual learners, HLE and language and literacy outcomes were examined in two languages. Children were assessed in their receptive vocabulary, reading and spelling abilities for English plus their ethnic Asian language (Mandarin Chinese, Malay or Tamil) for a subsample of 374 children.ResultsResults from factor analyses suggest that HLE for each language within families had a different latent structure, with three to four factors for English (parent involvement, parent habit, child exploration and shared reading) and three factors for the Asian language (parent involvement, parent habit and child interest). Further path analyses show that shared reading had a negative contribution to English outcomes but a positive influence on Asian language outcomes.ConclusionsFindings extend existing understanding of HLE structure for bilingual language learners from bilingual families. HLE components contributed differently to bilingual language outcomes, with positive contributions of child exploration to English outcomes and of parent habits including shared reading to Asian language outcomes. Negative relationships for shared reading to English outcomes are also evident and suggest that further research on the long‐term effects of HLE is needed.

ENVIRONMENTAL RISK FACTORS IN A CHILDREN WITH DYSLEXIA

The aim of this study was to analyze various environmental factors influencing dyslexia to enhance our understanding of its risk factors, including the exposure of mothers of dyslexic children to potential negative developmental influences, perinatal and postnatal developmental characteristics of dyslexic children, genetic predisposition, socioeconomic status, and reading exposure in dyslexic children.Mothers of both dyslexic and non-dyslexic children took part in the study. The home literacy environment and the development of motor skills emerge as significant risk indicators for dyslexia. These findings hold profound implications for public health, emphasizing the critical importance of early childhood in providing children with the best possible educational opportunities.Key words:risk factors, dyslexia, child development, developmental influences, home literacy environment

Longitudinal trajectories of brain development from infancy to school age and their relationship to literacy development.

Reading is one of the most complex skills that we utilize daily, and it involves the early development and interaction of various lower-level subskills, including phonological processing and oral language. These subskills recruit brain structures, which begin to develop long before the skill manifests and exhibit rapid development during infancy. However, how longitudinal trajectories of early brain development in these structures supports long-term acquisition of literacy subskills and subsequent reading is unclear. Children underwent structural and diffusion MRI scanning at multiple timepoints between infancy and second grade and were tested for literacy subskills in preschool and decoding and word reading in early elementary school. We developed and implemented a reproducible pipeline to generate longitudinal trajectories of early brain development to examine associations between these trajectories and literacy (sub)skills. Furthermore, we examined whether familial risk of reading difficulty and a child's home literacy environment, two common literacy-related covariates, influenced those trajectories. Results showed that individual differences in curve features (e.g., intercepts and slopes) for longitudinal trajectories of volumetric, surface-based, and white matter organization measures in left-hemispheric reading-related regions and tracts were linked directly to phonological processing and indirectly to second-grade decoding and word reading skills via phonological processing. Altogether, these findings suggest that the brain bases of phonological processing, previously identified as the strongest behavioral predictor of reading and decoding skills, may already begin to develop early in infancy but undergo further refinement between birth and preschool. The present study underscores the importance of considering academic skill acquisition from the very beginning of life.

Home literacy environment, digital media and vocabulary development in preschool children

A child’s vocabulary ability may be influenced by many different factors in their home environment. The present study focused on supportive aspects in home environments and the relation to children’s vocabulary size through an online study where 166 parents of children aged 47.63 months (range 33.7–59.9 months) responded. Children’s home literacy environments were positively associated with children’s vocabulary size. Aspects of the home environment such as the parents engaging in teaching colors, and letters and talking about daily activities showed a positive association with vocabulary size. Print book reading was important, but the number of books the parents read did not seem to be associated with vocabulary size, rather whether the parent was engaging in dialogical reading and discussing the books, explaining the content, and relating the content to the life of the child mattered. Digital media (screen media and digital games) did not show a positive association with vocabulary, regardless of content or parents’ joint media engagement. Watching screen media showed a negative association with developing vocabulary. This association was, however, ameliorated when positive influences and activities in the home literacy environment were present.

Association between parenting styles and dyslexia in primary school students: the mediating role of home literacy environment

Association between parenting styles and dyslexia in primary school students: the mediating role of home literacy environment

Is There a Genetic Confound in the Relation of Home Literacy Environment with Children's Reading Skills? A Familial Control Method Approach

AbstractWe examined the relation between home literacy environment (HLE), parents' reading skills, and children's emergent literacy skills (pinyin letter knowledge, phonological awareness, and vocabulary) and reading (word reading and reading comprehension) in a sample of 168 Chinese children (Mage = 74.26 months) followed from kindergarten to Grade 1. Results of structural equation modeling showed that code‐related HLE activities and access to literacy resources continued to predict children's emergent literacy skills after controlling for the effects of family's socioeconomic status and both parents' reading skills. Parents' reading skills also exerted a direct effect on children's reading comprehension. These findings suggest that HLE exerts a true environmental effect on children's reading skills that is not due to a genetic confound.

Links between booksharing and early vocabulary development in Costa Rica

Early vocabulary development is crucial for future cognitive and academic outcomes, and parent-child booksharing has been recognized as a powerful home literacy practice to promote word learning. However, evidence about the link between booksharing and language development in diverse cultural and socioeconomic settings is currently limited, hindering the formulation of a broadly applicable framework to understand the favorable conditions for early vocabulary development. This study explores the relationship between booksharing and early receptive and expressive vocabulary in a sample of 183 mothers and their toddlers in Costa Rica, a context where reading is not a common practice and children have limited access to books. Mothers completed an interview about their booksharing practices and reported children’s receptive and expressive vocabulary. Results demonstrated a positive link between maternal booksharing and children’s expressive vocabulary. Child gender moderated the link between booksharing and receptive vocabulary, exhibiting a stronger association in girls than in boys. Mothers with lower education levels reported higher expressive vocabulary scores for their children than mothers with higher education levels. These findings underscore the significance of booksharing in the home literacy environment, even in cultural contexts with distinct reading practices. Moreover, they highlight the need to incorporate sociocultural factors into comprehensive accounts concerning the role of booksharing in early word learning.

Predicting Reading Fluency Growth from Grade 2 to Age 23 with Parental and Child Factors

ABSTRACT Purpose Reading fluency establishes the basis for the strong literacy skills needed for academic success. We aim to trace how reading fluency develops from childhood to adulthood and identify factors that influence this development. Method In this study, 200 families were followed. All participating children (N = 200, 47% female) were ethnic Finns and spoke Finnish as their native language. The dataset included children’s reading fluency assessments (in Grades 2, 3, and 8 and at age 23), their self-reports, and parental questionnaires. For data analysis, growth curve models that included cognitive, motivational, and parental predictors were constructed. Results Significant variations in both developmental rates and adult outcomes of reading fluency were found. The developmental rate was predicted by rapid automatized naming (RAN), letter knowledge, the formal home literacy environment (HLE) (measured in kindergarten) and reading motivation (measured in elementary school). Adult outcome (fluency at age 23) was predicted by RAN, letter knowledge, formal HLE, and parental dyslexia. Further, those who had parents with resolving reading difficulties were more likely to follow a resolving trajectory themselves compared with those whose parents had persistent reading difficulties. Conclusion Our findings offer novel insights into how reading fluency develops into adulthood and identify key areas for future research to better understand the mechanisms behind reading fluency development.

The Importance of Home Literacy Environments in Terms of Children’s Reading Attitudes: A Study of Chinese Grade 5 Students

A great deal has been written about family literacy environments and their effects in the field of Western education, yet there remains a lack of relevant research in China. In addition, the sparse literature that does exist focuses exclusively on reading attitudes and home environments in upper primary grades. The purpose of this study was thus to determine the status of family literacy environments in China and to examine the relationship between students' reading attitudes and these environments. The object of study for this article is the largest and most popular public primary school in a city in northern Jiangsu province, on China's east coast. To achieve this, 185 fifth grade students and their guardians participated in this study, and PIRLS 2011 parent and student questionnaires were used online to collect participants’ data; the resulting information was then systematically analyzed in SPSS. The results showed that, in China, parents' reading attitudes tended to be positive and their expectations of their children were high. Overall, both parents are important in the influence of the family environment, though there was no significant difference between girls’ and boys’ reading attitudes. In the main, there is a significant positive correlation between parents' attitude towards reading and students' attitude towards reading at school: the better the parents' attitude towards reading, the better the children's attitude towards reading. These findings imply that the effects of family environment on reading attitudes in the Chinese context differ little from those identified in the Western world, and that there are many similarities.