The pursuit of quality education has always been part of our basic educational system. Likewise, improving the school culture as a characteristic of quality schools has been a major concern of the school system. This could not be done by the school alone. Effective educational inputs need the participation of parents. Parental involvement makes a big difference in child’s learning. Parents play an important role in the education of their child. Consequently, their involvement and encouragement are essential to academic success and can help a child excel in school.

 

According to some researchers, evidence for the positive effects of parent involvement on children, families, and school when schools and parents continuously support and encouragement are evident in the children’s learning and development.

 

Olsen and Fuller (2010) stated some of the benefits on the part of the children, parents, educators and the whole school, as well.

 

BENEFITS FOR THE CHIDLREN:

• Children generally achieve better grades, test scores, and attendance.
• Children consistently complete their homework.
• Children have better self-esteem, are more self-disciplined, and show higher aspirations and motivation toward school.
• Children’s positive attitude about school often results in improved behavior in school and less suspension for disciplinary reasons.

 

 BENEFITS FOR THE PARENTS:

• Parents increase their interaction and discussion with their children and are more responsive and sensitive to their children’s social, emotional, and intellectual developmental needs.
• Parents are more confident in their parenting and decision-making skills.
• As parents gain more knowledge of child development, there is more use of affection and positive reinforcement and less punishment on their children.
• When parents are aware of what their children are learning, they are more likely to help when they are requested by teachers to become more involved in their children’s learning activities at home.
• Parents’ perceptions of the school are improved and there are stronger ties and commitment to the school.
• Parents are more aware of, and become more active regarding, policies that affect their children’s education when parents are requested by school to be part of the decision-making team.

 

BENEFITS FOR THE EDUCATORS:

• When schools have a high percentage of involved parents in and out of schools, teachers and principals are more likely to experience higher morale.
• Teachers and principals often earn greater respect for their profession from the parents.
• Consistent parent involvement leads to improved communication and relations between parents, teachers, and administrators.

 

BENEFITS FOR THE SCHOOL:

• Schools that actively involve parents and the community tend to establish better reputations in the community.
• Schools also experience better community support.
• School programs that encou
• School programs that encourage and involve parents usually do better and have higher quality programs than programs that do not involve parents.

 

Even though a parent’s task in their child’s learning evolves as kids grow up, one thing remains constant and will always be: we are our children’s role models in terms of learning. Parent’s attitude towards education can motivate and encourage theirs and show them how to take charge of their own educational journey as Proverb 22:6 states that “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.”

 

References:

                Olsen, G. and Fuller, M.L. The Benefits of Parent Involvement: What Research has to Say. 2010.

 

 

 

By: Alma M. Carreon | Teacher I | Bagumbayan Elementary School | Pilar, Bataan