Effects of Literacy Materials from School on Latino Children's Home Experiences and Early Reading Achievement

Abstract

Yearlong case studies of 10 Hispanic kindergartners were conducted. Findings indicated that (1) the school had a large impact on children's home literacy experiences, (2) photocopied storybooks and work sheets sent home by children's teachers stimulated literacy experiences that were unique to each in some ways but similar in others, (3) although children in classrooms using photocopied storybooks had higher literacy test scores, the use of booklets in the home was not related to literacy achievement, whereas work sheet use at home was strongly and positively related to achievement. The study's implications for home-school literacy connections to support children's academic achievement are discussed.