Parental Involvement in Education of children

Parents are responsible for every detail of their young children’s lives, from potty training to eating fruits and veggies. When kids finally board the school bus for the first time, most moms and dads breathe a sigh of relief. Finally, you can hand off some of that pressure to someone else, knowing that a qualified teacher will make sure your child receives the education they need. But the role of parents in education involves more than just getting your kids safely to and from the bus stop. Research shows that parental involvement in education leads to greater student success and increased confidence.
The importance of parental involvement in education: Many parents mistakenly believe that their children’s education is entirely in the hands of teachers, but research solidly supports the case for parental involvement. Research from the National Coalition for Parent Involvement in Education shares that “no matter their income or background, students with involved parents are more likely to have higher grades and test scores, attend school regularly, have better social skills, show improved behavior and adapt well to school.” The most accurate predictors of student achievement in school are not family income or social status, but the extent to which the family . . . becomes involved in the child’s education at school.” It’s undeniable that parents who are active supporters of their children’s learning are giving their kids the best opportunity for educational success. Parental support and involvement can also benefit kids of all ages at a developmental level that extends beyond academics. Practical ways for parents to expand their role in schools. Parents who take an active role in their children’s education are offering the support their kids need to see success at school. But determining how to get involved can be tricky, especially for parents who are also juggling a full-time job. Experts recommend these simple ways for parents to expand their role in their kids’ education.
1 Be present at school when possible: Parents who make an effort to be present around their children’s school are showing their kids that they care about their education—and that it’s important enough to deserve their attention. This doesn’t mean busy parents have to sacrifice all their free time to volunteer at school! Classrooms have many opportunities to get involved, so parents can choose the ones that work best with their schedules.
2. Show interest in kids’ schoolwork : Parents who are genuinely interested in their kids’ education are in a good position to provide support or find outside help if they notice a child is struggling. They also build connections with their children as they share excitement over their successes and help them work through disappointments. Showing that you care about what they’re learning helps reinforce the importance of it.
3. Keep a positive attitude towards education: Parents might think that cracking down is the right way to handle kids who say they dislike school or don’t want to do their homework. However, parents who keep a positive attitude about education are more likely to pass that sunny outlook onto their kids. Young children, in particular, are still forming their thoughts and feelings toward school—so do what you can to reinforce the positive and build them up as they work through any struggles.
Parental involvement for children’s success : Parents have a lot to worry about when it comes to raising young children, but determining how to support their kids’ education shouldn’t be one of them. Thanks to these expert tips, parents and teachers can work together to create positive parental involvement in schools!
The communication with the parents presents the opportunity for the teacher to listen to parents’ concerns and explain to them more about their children’s’ education. Thus, parental involvement offers benefits to everyone, including the school, the teachers, the parents, and above all, the students.
Challenges of parental involvement : One of the biggest challenges is for parents to find the time to attend school events or support their children; this is especially true for families with low economic resources. It is also challenging for the teacher when the children are expected to perform well academically, but the students do not receive any support at home. It is difficult to establish a connection between schools and households or create a safe environment for parents of all socioeconomic statuses. In cases where parents do not know how to read or write, or when their mother tongue is another language than the one that prevails in school, it is difficult for them to feel comfortable attending talks or school events. That is why educational institutions should work even harder to make such parents feel welcome and accepted. Parental involvement is associated with various benefits for students of all ages. There does not even need to be a high level of commitment; simply by asking the child how he or she did in school and attending school meetings, parents can positively influence the student’s future. According to experts on the subject, the best indicator of a student’s success is the extent to which families are involved in their education. Feeling their parents’ support, students become more motivated and develop a love of learning. From another viewpoint, teachers see important changes in their classrooms when parents get involved, such as improvements in the motivation and performance of the students and even their character. Also, collaboration with parents can help identify needs and goals, and there can be discussions about how parents can contribute. The communication with the parents presents the opportunity for the teacher to listen to parents’ concerns and explain to them more about their children’s’ education. Thus, parental involvement offers benefits to everyone, including the school, the teachers, the parents, and above all, the students.
( The author is a teacher at Government High School Brakpora Anantnag. Views are his own)
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