The Effect of a Simple Home Literacy Program on Improving Beginning Reading Skills of First-Grade Students

Abstract

This study aims to empirically test and analyze the effect of a simple home literacy program on improving the beginning reading skills of grade I students at SDN 18 Rantau Selatan, Labuhanbatu Regency. The background of the study is based on the low beginning reading skills of students, as indicated by the average pre-questionnaire score of 64.2 and the fact that the majority of students (60%) are still concentrated in the Low to Very Low category. This study used a quantitative approach with a One-Group Pre-Questionnaire - Post-Questionnaire Design. The study subjects were 20 first-grade students. The intervention program was implemented over three cycles, involving active parental support through read-aloud activities, syllable identification exercises, and the use of daily literacy journals. Data were collected using a reading ability test instrument and analyzed using descriptive and inferential analysis (Paired Samples T-Test). The descriptive analysis results showed a significant improvement in students' reading skills. The average post-questionnaire score jumped to 82.0 after the treatment, indicating an average score increase of 17.8 points from the baseline. Inferentially, the results of the paired t-test indicated that H0 was rejected and H1 was accepted (Sig. <0.05). The conclusion of this study is that there is a positive and significant effect of a simple home literacy program on improving the early reading skills of first-grade students at SDN 18 Rantau Selatan. This program successfully streamlined the role of parents as partners with teachers, creating a consistent and supportive learning environment at home. Schools are advised to integrate this program into academic policies to ensure sustainability.