INTRODUCTION
ELOM HLE RESULTS
The ELOM Home Learning Environment (HLE) is a tool created by Data Drive 2030, that assesses how well preschool children are learning and what could help them do better. The tool shows what specifically affects children’s development. When combined with ELOM 4,5,6 and 7 assessments it gives a bigger picture of how children are developing.
Four provinces: Limpopo, Gauteng, Northern Cape and Western Cape were measured using a short questionnaire to assess home aspects for children aged 2 – 7 years associated with:
- Early language
- Numeracy
- Cognitive functioning
The report assessed what early learning materials were available and used at home, as well as the time caregivers spent playing and participating in learning activities. Certified assessors were used in each province, using the local home language.
The ELOM HLE is a self-report assessment and therefore open to caregiver bias.
The report describes HLE data in three main sections:
- Early learning resources: The total number of children’s books in the home and availability of bought or homemade toys, household utensils and other objects used for play.
- Early learning activities and time with the child: Activities including reading, storytelling, singing, excursions, playing, naming things, counting, drawing and painting. Also the amount of time caregivers spend with their children in the week and over the weekend.
- ECD engagement: The extent to which the child participates in the ECD programme, caregivers’ awareness of ECD services, how they heard about the programme and their motivation for sending their child, as well as time spent at the programme.
Home resources and stimulation are key to achieving early childhood development programme outcomes. Family socio-economic status and caregiver education help predict success.
