Home Learning Environment Inequality and Early Childhood Development Outcomes in Bangladesh

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 22K20277
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Research Activity Start-up
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: :Education and related fields
• Research Institution: Kobe University
• Principal Investigator: WANG KEXIN 神戸大学, 国際協力研究科, 部局研究員 (60962967)
• Project Period (FY): 2022-08-31 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: Early Childhood / Home Learning / Bangladesh

Outline of Final Research Achievements

This study investigates the relationship between home learning environment (HLE) and preschoolers’ holistic development and the domain-specific development outcomes in literacy-numeracy and social emotion in Bangladesh, across gender, early childhood education (ECE) enrollment, and socio-economic (SES) diversity. The results indicate that facilitating a supportive HLE is vital for early child development outcomes through promoting effective caregiving interaction activities and age-appropriate learning and playing resources, particularly for children in low SES households. Girls, ECE enrollments, and preschoolers in high SES households are more likely to fulfill their developmental potential, benefiting from different components of HLE activities. The domain-specific components of HLE are not only associated with child development outcomes within their respective domains but also across domains.

Free Research Field

Early Childhood Development

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

This study clarified how specific elements of home learning environment influence specific domains of early childhood development outcomes for preschoolers across different backgrounds. The findings are helpful for the government to design appropriate guidelines on the tailored parenting programs.