Validation of a culture-contextualized measure of the home numeracy environment in Latine families.

Abstract

The important role of families in the development process of early mathematics skills has been recognized through the construct of the home numeracy environment (HNE). The lack of attention to cultural and contextual factors in HNE research has overlooked diversity in families' experiences. Researchers have begun to inquire about a more inclusive perspective of the HNE. Given the importance of the HNE and that Latine children are the fastest growing population in the United States, there is a need to develop culturally and contextualized measures to properly capture the ways Latine families engage in mathematics. Building upon a prior mixed-method measurement development work, this study examined the construct validity of a newly developed measure, HNE for Latine families, with a sample of 320 Latine caregivers. The three dimensions found in the prior development study were confirmed: caregiver-child numeracy interactions, math anxiety, and math beliefs. Additionally, some of the Latine family engagement dimensions in relation to mathematics were related to Latine caregiver's rating of the child's numeracy skills. This study validates a measure that comprises more inclusive items related to how Latine caregivers interact with their children, as well as how they feel and their beliefs about mathematics. This type of study is crucial to support culturally responsive practices with Latine families and thereby disrupt deficit views of Latine families. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved).