Home Literacy Environment in Alphabetic Language from Low- and Middle-Income Countries: A Scoping Review

The aim of this scoping review was to map the existing literature on the associations between HLE and literacy outcomes in LMICs by addressing the studies: 1) Which theoretical frameworks guide studies on the HLE in LMICs?; 2) Which measures or instruments are used to assess the HLE in LMICs?; 3) Which HLE components are assessed in LMICs?; 4) What is the age range of children and their corresponding literacy outcomes in these studies?; and 5) What are the associations between HLE and literacy outcomes? We identified 30 studies published between 2011 and 2024. Findings indicate that the field lacks conceptual consistency. The most assessed HLE components included literacy-related activities and the availability of print materials, while literacy outcomes included letter identification and word reading. Measurement heterogeneity was a major concern. We need culturally sensitive, standardized assessment tools and further research on HLE components across developmental stages.