A vast number of researches have established the unequivocal relationship between parental involvement and student achievement. The earlier parents become involved in their children’s education, the more powerful the effects. These studies have demonstrated that students whose parents are involved in their education tend to have higher grades, scores, and graduation rates. Parental involvement also acts as a motivation for students’ attendance, increased academic enthusiasm, and better self esteem. In the long run, children whose parents are involved in their education tend to have lower rates of behavior problems, decreased use of drugs and alcohol, and a better attitude for facing life-difficulties. Parental involvement has also shown to be a good indicator for students’ academic success even within families with low socio-economic status. While there are many ways by which parents can become involved in their children’s education, the most effective forms of parental involvement are those, which engage parents in working directly with their children on learning activities at home.
- How to do it?
Sometimes parents do not know exactly how to help their children with their education, in that case the best advice is to approach your children’s teacher and ask him/her for guidance. With the teacher’s support parents can become increasingly involved in home learning activities and find themselves with opportunities to teach, to be models for and to guide their children. For example, the teacher may require from parents to practice reading at home. There are many studies proving that when children read with their parents at home, they make significant gains in reading achievement compared to those who only practice at school.
Some basic tips for parental involvement include:
1. Establish a daily family routine. Start by providing a specific time and a quiet place to do homework and study. It’s important that you make an effort to have the basic supplies for your child to complete his/her homework: paper, scissors, colors, pencils, erasers, a dictionary, etc. If you don’t have a specific place, prepare a container (shoe box, paper bag, etc.) that your child uses only during homework time.
2. Monitor out-of-school activities. Limit the time your child spends watching TV or plays outside during school days; these need to include other extra-curricular activities including family visits, shopping etc.
3. Model the value of learning, self-discipline, and hard work. It’s important that you communicate regularly with your children, through questioning and conversation, showing them that achievement comes from setting goals and working hard toward meeting them.
4. Set high but realistic expectations for achievement. Ask your child’s teacher about the goals and standards appropriate for his age, grade level, and maturity. It's equally important to take into consideration your child's special talents, and to offer support to overcome specific limitations.
5. Encourage children's development/ progress in school. Children need to see/hear their parents maintaining a positive and supportive home-school relationship. Thus stay in touch with teachers and school staff and show your child your appreciation for their decisions and recommendations.
6. Last, but not least, encourage literacy. Your children need to see you reading on regular basis (the newspaper, a letter, emails, etc.), writing (letters, emails, shopping lists), and talking (of activities that include literacy) among family members.
Additional resources for parental involvement:
