Parent involvement in children’s education plays a critical role in student achievement and outcomes later in life (Epstein, 1995). Much research has been conducted about the benefits of parent involvement in elementary school and middle school. Less research has been conducted pertaining to early childhood education, namely children from birth through age eight. The limited research that has been conducted demonstrates that parent involvement at the preschool and primary grade levels is associated with greater achievement in reading and less grade retention all the way through grade eight (Basile & Henry, 1996). Parent and family involvement provide comfort for children in social and cultural contexts, ultimately enhancing cognitive development (Pattni- Shah, 2008). Increasing parent involvement enables greater understanding of children and families’ needs, cultural continuity, more effective instruction, greater feelings of teacher and parent appreciation, and increased learning (Galper, Feeney, & Seefeldt, 2009). Parent involvement in early childhood education affords many benefits while a lack of parent involvement, which may result from a variety of reasons, creates deficiencies (see Appendix A).
Instructional Problem Description
Educators are faced with many problems of varying degrees of frequency and urgency. A lack of parent involvement in children’s education is a trend teachers and administrators are noting in schools across the nation (Finders & Lewis, 1994). However, before this lack of parent involvement can be addressed, it is essential that “parent involvement” is defined and contributing factors are understood. Parent involvement encompasses many things: nurturing and being sensitive to children's d...
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Parent-child intervention programs are another use for the theory. Children learn from experiences based on their home life. “Children’s strategies for managing emotions, resolving disputes, and engaging with others are learned from experience and carried forward across setting and time. For younger children especially, the primary source of these experiences is the parent–child and family relationship environment” (O’Connor, Matias, Futh, Tantam & Scott, 2013).Young children witness much of their learned behaviors from their parents. By intervening at an early age to help change some of the parents behaviors children will then learn new responses to situations. Children who are victims of domestic abuse can see videos or models portraying
In believing that “today’s cities play a different economic role than they did in the past,” Kotkin argues that “At best, Jacobs’s compelling portrait from 1961 is something of an anachronism,” meaning that her lessons are out of place in the current era (Kotkin). Kotkin pulls in details from researcher Gary Evans saying, “Families in urban apartments today… generally have far weaker networks of neighbors than their suburban counterpart, a generally more stressful home life, and significantly less ‘social support’” (Kotkin). Kotkin further implies that Jacobs is outdated when quoting her mentioning how suburbs are not a good place to bring up children (Kotkin). Today the general consensus is that cities are not a safe place to raise a family and that the city is just as stepping stone towards career advancement that will eventually lead a person to a domesticated suburbia lifestyle (Kotkin). “Jacobs… instinctively hated where families were in fact headed: the suburbs” claiming that “neighborhoods like her own... [were] ideal places where locals watched out for each other” (Kotkin). Many families flee cities in hopes of finding a safer community for their children. “[I]n 2011 children 5-14 constitute about seven percent in core districts… [which is] roughly half the level
There are many styles of parent involvement and parenting styles. Parental involvement includes attending school functions, helping with homework, or simply showing interest in what is occurring in school. Parental involvement is also both social aspects and intellectually stimulating activities beyond schoolwork. Parental involvement has different components including: parent-child relationship, aspirations and expectations a parent has for their child, and parental involvement within the school. (Hoang)
Parent school involvement in children’s education is associated with positive outcomes, educational and otherwise. Within the last two decades parent involvement has increased in American schools. While initially parents were
“Parental involvement shows to be an important factor that definitely has an impact on children’s education. Parental involvement refers to amount of participation a parent has when it comes to school and their child/children’s life. Some schools foster healthy parental involvement through events and volunteer opportunities but
Much research has also been done on the impact that parental involvement has on an adolescent’s development and education. One study done viewed parental involvement as a multidimensional concept that includes school-based involvement, home-based involvement, and academic socialization. (Wang & Sheikh-Khalil, 2014). The researchers defined school-based involvement as communication between the parents and teacher, attending school events, and volunteering at the adolescent’s school. Home-based involvement was defined as setting up a structured time for homework and leisure, and monitoring the child’s progress. Academic socialization was defined as the parents communicating to their child their expectations and encouraging their children to form their own educational and career goals. (Wang & Sheikh-Khalil,
As a mean to supporting family engagement and child’s learning, it is crucial that programs implement strategies for developing partnerships with families. But do the children benefit from effective family engagement? Family engagement pertains to all young children across ethnic backgrounds and early childhood education programs. Parents from diverse backgrounds, when given direction, can become more engaged with their children. Family Engagement is important for young children’s skill. The skills include literacy, cognitive, math, and social development. When the families engage in their children’s education with the help of other educator’s assistance, this supports the early childhood learning, which is a very critical part to success
Family involvement today goes far beyond attending parent-teacher conferences, awards ceremonies, and chaperoning on school field trips. Educator’s expectations for parental involvement has changed, and there is a plethora of research that proves that involvement of parents in early childhood education is essential to the success of students. Research points to the following three points as the main reasons why parental involvement in early childhood education is important and beneficial:
Wurzel, Barbara J. Growing up in Single Parent Families. Columbus: November1, 2000. Infotrac. Online. .
Parent involvement is one of the most influential aspects of student motivation. The parents are the initial teachers of the child before the child goes to school and encounters education through a teacher. If a parent is completely engaged in the learning process with a child, there can be growth between the child and the parent simultaneously. The parents set an example for the child, so that the child understands that help is in the classroom and at home. Alma Wright, a first and second grade teacher, believes that parents in the classroom are a good way to stimulate children. She says, “Their active participation is a positive influence. The school is open for parents to share their talents and motivate their children” (Drew, Olds, and Olds, 1974, p. 71).
To conclude, my research shows a clear link between parental involvement and children performing better in school. Children who's parents are involved in their education are showing better performance and are achieving higher grades. They also show better behaviour, more enthusiasm, ambition and higher levels of engagement. compared with children who's parent are not involved in their education. My research also shows that parental involvement has great benefits for both children and parents in many ways, so much so that the most effective schools are those who encouraged parents to be involved.
Parent involvement affects all aspects of a child’s education. Parents must be involved as teachers, learners, supporters, and advocates of their child’s learning (Hopkings). Studies show that kids who know that their parents are involved and interested tend to take more responsibility for their own learning and behavior. Schoolwork and grades improve. Work habits improve. Less work is handed in late. Fewer referrals for behavior problems are made. Attendance increases, and fewer kids show up late for class (Hopkings). With all this information documented it shows the true importance of parent involvement in education. The more involved the parents are, the better off each child will be. So when you become a parent, get involved in your child’s education!
Parental involvement promotes the social growth of a child. Children whose parents are involved in their education have many advantages. They have better grades, test scores, long-term academic achievement, attitudes and behavior than those with disinterested mothers and fathers (Gestwicki, 2001). Parents becoming involved in their child's schooling creates extra sources of social constraint to influence the child's behavior (McNeal, 2001). For example, parents talking to their children and becoming involved in the school conveys a message to the child of education being important. Parents should be talking with your children's teacher and letting her know about your family. The more she knows about your child, the better she will be able to connect with your child.