A comparison of the home learning environment of families at risk of socio-economic disadvantage to national norms in Ireland

Abstract

The present study investigated the home learning environment of three to five-year-old children (n = 429) living in an area designated as socio-economically disadvantaged, involved in the Area Based Childhood (ABC) programme, compared to a nationally representative sample of three-year-old children (n = 9793), from the Growing Up in Ireland (GUI) Study. Statistical analysis of the frequency of engagement in home learning activities across both samples, revealed a significant difference in the environments to which children are exposed, with families from the GUI sample engaging more frequently in these activities than families from the ABC sample. Among the family demographic factors investigated, parent's age and household type were significantly related to the frequency of engagement in home learning activities. Based on these findings, policy and practice implications are discussed.

Keywords:

• home learning environment
• socio-economic disadvantage
• family demographics
• early childhood development

Notes on contributors

Dr Grainne Kent is a Researcher and Lecturer in Developmental Psychology at the National College of Ireland. She graduated from the National University of Ireland Maynooth with a Doctorate in Psychological Science. Her main research interests include early intervention and prevention, child development, language development, Autism Spectrum Disorder and behavioural psychology.

Vasiliki Pitsia is a PhD candidate in Education at Dublin City University. She is a Research Assistant at the National College of Ireland, a member of the Greek research team for PISA and she has given a series of lectures on research methodology and statistical techniques. Vasiliki holds a BSc in Primary Education and a MSc in Quantitative Methods and Statistical Analysis in Education. Her broader research interests include research methods and educational assessment, statistical analysis and large-scale studies.

ORCID

Grainne Kent http://orcid.org/0000-0002-5254-7062

Vasiliki Pitsia http://orcid.org/0000-0002-8172-0397