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Potential of a Digital Parenting App to Support Parents of Toddlers: Relations between the Intensity of App Use, Language-Related Parental Self-Efficacy and the Home Literacy Environment

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Title: Potential of a Digital Parenting App to Support Parents of Toddlers: Relations between the Intensity of App Use, Language-Related Parental Self-Efficacy and the Home Literacy Environment
Language: English
Authors: Luisa Prokupek (ORCID 0009-0008-8634-7270), Theresia Hummel, Sabine Blaurock, Franziska Cohen, Yvonne Anders
Source: British Educational Research Journal. 2026 52(1):643-666.
Availability: Wiley. Available from: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030. Tel: 800-835-6770; e-mail: cs-journals@wiley.com; Web site: https://www.wiley.com/en-us
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 24
Publication Date: 2026
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Education Level: Adult Education
Descriptors: Computer Oriented Programs, Computer Software, Parent Child Relationship, Self Efficacy, Family Environment, Language Acquisition, Child Development, Foreign Countries, Toddlers, Parent Education, Literacy
Geographic Terms: Germany
DOI: 10.1002/berj.70022
ISSN: 0141-1926
1469-3518
Abstract: The home literacy environment (HLE) has a considerable influence on children's language development. How parents perceive their own parenting abilities (e.g., how well they encourage their children's language development) is particularly important when it comes to guiding their children appropriately through different stages of development. This self-perception, referred to as parental self-efficacy (PSE), is an important aspect of the home learning environment that has been shown to be a significant predictor of beneficial parenting practices and ultimately successful child development. However, families exhibit differences in how they encourage their children's language development and need support to feel confident in their parenting abilities. Furthermore, the family environment is becoming increasingly digitalised. Thus, there is great potential for the HLE to be enhanced via digital family support. The present study empirically tests relations between the intensity of use of a family support app, language-related PSE and HLE based on data from 184 German families with toddlers. Results of mediation analyses showed that the intensity of app use was positively related to increases in language-related PSE, which again was positively associated with an increased frequency of language-stimulating activities in the HLE. There was no direct association between the intensity of app use and language-stimulating activities. The findings illustrate that parenting apps offer a promising approach to strengthening PSE. The results also reflect more broadly the relevance of language-related PSE for the HLE of families with toddlers.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2026
Accession Number: EJ1499143
Database: ERIC
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Luisa+Prokupek%22">Luisa Prokupek</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0009-0008-8634-7270">0009-0008-8634-7270</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Theresia+Hummel%22">Theresia Hummel</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Sabine+Blaurock%22">Sabine Blaurock</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Franziska+Cohen%22">Franziska Cohen</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Yvonne+Anders%22">Yvonne Anders</searchLink>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="SO" term="%22British+Educational+Research+Journal%22"><i>British Educational Research Journal</i></searchLink>. 2026 52(1):643-666.
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  Data: Wiley. Available from: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030. Tel: 800-835-6770; e-mail: cs-journals@wiley.com; Web site: https://www.wiley.com/en-us
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  Data: 10.1002/berj.70022
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  Data: The home literacy environment (HLE) has a considerable influence on children's language development. How parents perceive their own parenting abilities (e.g., how well they encourage their children's language development) is particularly important when it comes to guiding their children appropriately through different stages of development. This self-perception, referred to as parental self-efficacy (PSE), is an important aspect of the home learning environment that has been shown to be a significant predictor of beneficial parenting practices and ultimately successful child development. However, families exhibit differences in how they encourage their children's language development and need support to feel confident in their parenting abilities. Furthermore, the family environment is becoming increasingly digitalised. Thus, there is great potential for the HLE to be enhanced via digital family support. The present study empirically tests relations between the intensity of use of a family support app, language-related PSE and HLE based on data from 184 German families with toddlers. Results of mediation analyses showed that the intensity of app use was positively related to increases in language-related PSE, which again was positively associated with an increased frequency of language-stimulating activities in the HLE. There was no direct association between the intensity of app use and language-stimulating activities. The findings illustrate that parenting apps offer a promising approach to strengthening PSE. The results also reflect more broadly the relevance of language-related PSE for the HLE of families with toddlers.
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      – SubjectFull: Parent Child Relationship
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      – SubjectFull: Toddlers
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      – SubjectFull: Parent Education
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      – SubjectFull: Literacy
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