Working with parents

The impact of the Home Learning Environment (HLE) on a child’s future life chances has been well researched and documented.

“The HLE is an important factor in the development of early speech, language and communication. This not only impacts on a child’s development in the early years but can persist until their GCSEs and A-Levels. …As early as 2-3 years, the HLE is predictive of verbal ability and effective in differentiating both over- and under-achieving groups from children achieving at the level expected for their age.”

Improving the home learning environment – a behaviour change approach (2018:p.6)

What is a positive Home Learning Environment?

A positive HLE where young children will thrive is created when:

There are warm loving relationships in a safe and stimulating atmosphere, O’Connor and Scott (2007) found that the quality of a parent-child relationship during the first three years is fundamental to a child’s later success in school and their longer-term development and wellbeing.
This enables secure attachments to be formed which help children develop self-regulation, which is related to greater self-confidence, improved social skills and better academic outcomes throughout school, where children are talked to and listened to from birth. Researchers Hart and Risley, (1995) found a direct correlation between parents talking to children and children’s later linguistic and intellectual development.

How can you, as a practitioner, impact on the HLE?

Research suggests that parental involvement in early learning has a greater impact on children’s well-being and achievement than any other factor. Therefore, supporting parents to provide a positive home learning environment plays a crucial part on improving children’s outcomes.