Early Literacy Research Library (ELRL) - Metric

The Reading House (TRH): Emergent Literacy Screening Measure

TRH


Access: FREE/Open Access

Download the full text(s): TRH_Script_and_Scoring Form_Rev

evaluation focus

Early literacy skills

applicable ages

36-48 months; 3-4 years; Grade: Preschool

available language(s)

English and Spanish

availability

FREE download through the library
Must be purchased

additional materials


summary

The Reading House (TRH) Assessment is a 9-item screening tool designed to assess emergent literacy skills in 3- and 4-year-old children. The TRH assessment requires the utilization of The Reading House, a book specially designed by a pediatrician and literacy expert to directly screen early literacy skills. TRH assessment has 9 items corresponding to the covers and 7 interior page spreads. Wording was refined in consultation with experts in measure development and pilot tested with families and is estimated at a Flesch Kincaid kindergarten reading level.

 

The Reading House models early reading skills featuring diverse children going about their day. It complements reading programs such as Reach Out and Read, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library and community kindergarten readiness initiatives, and it is an ideal tool to initiate discussions on how families can help their children.

 

Literacy Skills Assessed:

  • Print Concepts
  • Alphabet Knowledge
  • Letter-sound Knowledge
  • Phonological Skills (rhyming, alliteration, syllable blending)
  • Vocabulary
  • Emergent Writing

Anticipatory Guidance:

  • Reading
  • Healthy eating
  • Active/creative play
  • Bike helmets

Administration format: adult guides child through the book and asks a series of interactive questions.

Total time: ~5 minutes

 

Screening portal: https://thereadinghouse.website/es/form/index.html

 

The Reading House book is required and available for purchase at All About Books and/or Blue Manatee Press.  


supporting literature

Hutton JS, Justice L, Huang G, Kerr A, DeWitt T, Ittenbach RF. The Reading House: A Children's Book for Emergent Literacy Screening During Well-Child Visits. Pediatrics. 2019 Jun;143(6):e20183843. doi: 10.1542/peds.2018-3843. PMID: 31147486.
PDF: Hutton_2019_The Reading House – A Children’s Book for Emergent Literacy Screening During Well-Child Visits
Link: https://publications.aap.org/pediatrics/article/143/6/e20183843/76827/The-Reading-House-A-Children-s-Book-for-Emergent?autologincheck=redirected

Hutton JS, Dudley J, Huang G, Horowitz-Kraus T, DeWitt T, Ittenbach RF, Holland SK. Validation of The Reading House and Association With Cortical Thickness. Pediatrics. 2021 Mar;147(3):e20201641. doi: 10.1542/peds.2020-1641. Epub 2021 Feb 4. PMID: 33542146.
PDF: Hutton_2021_Validation of the reading house and association with cortical thickness
Link: https://static1.squarespace.com/static/53eb9234e4b0a11bcc06b257/t/6064aa93c45f5e7632316dda/1617210004205/TRH_Morphometry_peds.2020-1641.full.pdf

Bode SM, Denny S, Irwin MK, Hutton J. A Primary Care-Based Approach to Improving Kindergarten Readiness. Pediatrics. 2025 Apr 1;155(Suppl 1):e2024069159C. doi: 10.1542/peds.2024-069159C. PMID: 40164202.
PDF: Bode et al., 2025_Primary-Care Based Approach
Link: https://publications.aap.org/pediatrics/article/155/Supplement%201/e2024069159C/201473

Bode SM, Denny S, Masonheimer A, Irwin MK, Hutton J. Comparison of Literacy and Developmental Screening of Preschool-Aged Children During Primary Care. Pediatrics. 2025 Nov 1;156(5):e2024069941. doi: 10.1542/peds.2024-069941. PMID: 41027616.
PDF: Bode et al., 2025_Comparison of Literacy
Link: https://publications.aap.org/pediatrics/article/156/5/e2024069941/204393/Comparison-of-Literacy-and-Developmental-Screening?autologincheck=redirected