Associations between home literacy environment and children’s receptive vocabulary: A meta-analysis

Home literacy environment (HLE) refers to a variety of resources and opportunities provided children as well the parental skills, abilities, dispositions, that determine provision such for children. For more than half century, large body studies have shown HLE can significantly promote children’s receptive vocabulary development. However, blurry operationalization HLE’s construct inconsistency effect sizes (ESs) in recent made it difficult understand what really works development at home. This meta-analysis systematically reviewed empirical published from 1990 2021 regarding relationships between these two variables order clarify construct, investigate main effects, explore potential moderators. id=C7>Through literature review, we found was usually conceptualized either perspective ecological system theory or interaction theory. Ecological widely adopted by researchers, which involved home resources, motivational atmosphere, activities. Next, completed comprehensive search peer-reviewed research, 84 articles with 212 65,550 were finally included. We used CMA 3.0 statistical analysis results showed that: (1) Except age began be read to, there no publication bias ESs other sub-constructs items. (2) Results random effects model indicated significant, moderate relation development, r=0.31, p<0.01. Among sub-constructs, items related shared reading, i.e., number books, frequency reading request demonstrated highest ESs, followed including parents’ beliefs own habits. As activities, informal activities low but while formal not associated (3) had high level heterogeneity, meta-regression whether time periods, cultural backgrounds, child’s measurement methods suggested decreased across periods. One possible explanation influx multimedia has changed HLE, may lie spent pre-primary schools increased significantly. It also stable during past 30 years, supported previous interactive adults an effective way The moderating different reading. Specifically, obtained questionnaires Home Observation Measurement Environment did lead significant differences, Children’s Title Checklist (CTC) higher those questionnaires. except problems understanding deviation, difficulty recall, social desirability effect, researchers understandings CTC measurements over time. Lastly, backgrounds detected. id=C8>Taken altogether, this study supports is positively correlated vocabulary, especially Findings suggest changing multifaceted research needed extend its conceptualization, tech-enabled practices. Furthermore, should pay attention differences employ cross-cultural perspectives improve reliability validity measurements. All would help advance future practice.