A multidimensional view of the home learning environment: How parents engage children across literacy, math, science, and executive function

The home learning environment (HLE) supports children’s development across multiple domains, yet prior research has mainly focused on mothers and literacy, with less attention to fathers and other domain activities. Using data from the Early Home Learning Environment (EHLE) study, this study examined parent-reported engagement in literacy, math, science, and executive function (EF)-related activities among 945 parents of children aged 0–6 years. Literacy was reported most frequently, followed by science and EF, with math least frequent. Mothers reported slightly higher engagement than fathers in literacy, science, and EF, while fathers reported marginally higher engagement in math; however, both showed similar rank-order patterns across domains. Engagement differed by child age. Although literacy engagement remained highest across age groups, parents of preschool-aged children (3–5 years) reported relatively greater science and math engagement than parents of younger children. Child gender was unassociated with engagement, whereas household income was positively associated with all domains except math.