The Influence of the Home Literacy Environment and Reading Enjoyment on Reading Comprehension Skills and The Practices of Teachers Regarding the Home Literacy Environment

Abstract

Reading comprehension skills are important for participation in school and influence later professional success. Activities at home support the reading development and reading attitudes of children. This study conducted a mediation analysis of the Dutch sample (N = 2254) of PIRLS-2016 in order to measure the relationships of the home literacy environment and reading enjoyment with reading comprehension skills. Regression analyses showed that HLE significantly predicted reading comprehension and reading enjoyment. The mediation analysis showed a partial mediation of the relation between HLE and reading comprehension through reading enjoyment. Furthermore, the current study aimed to gain insight in teachers’ beliefs, practices and educational background regarding home literacy environment. Results from semi-structured interviews (N = 7) showed that teachers have had little education regarding specific tools and ways to support parents to engage in literacy activities at home. Moreover, the teachers expressed concerns regarding the lack of knowledge of parents about their power to influence their children’s reading skills. Since this study confirms that the home environment is of influence, I suggest that schools organise workshops for parents with the aim to spread awareness of their power, and workshops for parents and teachers to demonstrate ways to easily implement at-home activities.