4. Introduction
• Higher grades, test scores, and graduation rates
• Better school attendance
• Increased motivation, better self-esteem
• Lower rates of suspension
• Decreased use of drugs and alcohol
• Fewer instances of violent behaviour
(Michigan Department of Education , 2002)
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5. Three Major factors
1.Parent’s beliefs about what is important,
necessary and permissible for them to do with
and on behalf of their children
2.The extent to which parents believe that they
can have a positive influence on their
children’s education; and
3.Parent’s perception that their children and
school want them to be involved.
(Michigan Department of Education , 2002)
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6. Understanding Parents
• Cultural and ethnic backgrounds
• Family structure
• Level of parental education
• Level of English language
• Previous experiences
• Working hours and type of work
• Parental expectations
• Medical history
• Stress and role strain
• Trust in the professionals
• Personal characteristics – self-esteem, confidence and
etc.
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7. Parental involvement
Five types of parental Involvement:
1.Parenting skills, child development and
home environment for learning;
2.Communications from school to home;
3.Parents as volunteers in school;
4.Involvement in learning activities at
home;
5.Decision making, leadership and
governance.
(Brandt, 1989)
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8. Importance of parental Involvement
When they begin school or early
childhood education, children and their
parents bring to the school a wealth of
cultural, linguistic and economic
experience which the school can call
upon.
(Blatchford and Clarke,2010)
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9. Importance of parental Involvement
Wolfendale (1993) claims that parents are their child’s
prime educators, that they provide:
• The primary (survival) needs
• Emotional support and endorsement (secondary) needs
• Setting for personal growth
• The environment for exploration and hypothesis testing
• Frame of reference for exploration outside the home
• Protective environment
• Opportunities for independent functioning
• Models of language, behaviour and etc.
• Transmission of knowledge and information about the world
• Arbiters of decisions and decision makers in the short and
long term
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10. Importance of parental Involvement
There are many benefits from parental involvement.
The benefits are not only for the child, but also for the parent.
While the child will gain confidence in their learning, they will
also gain a love for certain areas of their learning, ie, if the parent
were to read to the child daily, the child may develop a love and
respect for books.
The parents can also gain confidence in helping their child at
home with their own learning when they arrive at primary school.
Parental involvement can also help create a stronger bond
between the parent/s and child.
The parent is one of a child’s main educators in life. Until a child
starts in an early years setting, the parent is their primary
educator and will know a lot more about their own child and their
capabilities than they may consciously be aware of.
Saoirse Page
12. Role of the Staff
Encouraging parents to do activities with their child at home,
such as reading, will allow both the child and parent to
benefit.
Having information leaflets available in the setting will provide
the information on the importance of having the parents
involved.
Having days where the parents are welcome to join in the
setting will also help with raising awareness.
Always show an understanding and accommodate to parents
other commitments such as work etc.
If a parent has a question about their child and shows interest
in becoming more involved in the setting, listen to what they
have to say and make suggestions to what they could do,
allowing for other commitments, if any.
Saoirse Page
13. Best Practices
• Planning and Preparation
• First impression
• Providing information / no assumptions
/ multi language
• Welcoming and friendly atmosphere
• Policies / Parents Guide
• Diversity in the setting
• Information about staff / Key workers
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Researchers have identified three major factors that influence the level of parental involvement in child’s education. At the same time parental expectations can influence a level of involvement, as parents with lower expectations would …………….
We live in a ever changing word that moves past us at a rapid pace and most of us have very little time to spend for leisurely pleasures like spending time with children.
