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

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.