A study in Child Development looked at the home environments, habits, and relationships of nearly 2,000 mothers and young children from low-income families. They then compared them to the child’s learning development at different ages between one and five. Researchers found that the more regularly parents provided their little ones a positive learning environment at home, the better their child’s language and literacy skills became. These skills are important because they not only prepare kids for kindergarten, but they are the building block for success in later school years.
Create a learning environment at home
How can you provide a “learning environment” at home? Researchers looked at certain factors that have been proven to boost children’s ability to do well in school. Their research supported the fact that parents who had a positive impact:
- Spent time doing literacy activities with their child every day, such as shared reading time or storytelling.
- Had good interaction with their kids, such as talking with them regularly, encouraging them to speak, and exposing them to complex speech (not just baby talk).
- Had a number and variety of books available for their children at home.
It’s never too early to read to your child
The study showed that the earlier you start good habits, the better the child will fare in school. Children who were exposed to a positive learning environment at 15 months fared better than those whose parents played catch-up later in young childhood.