What exactly is parental involvement? Parental involvement is defined by participation and interest shown by parents in their child’s school events or activities. This can include extracurriculars the school organizes or even information about grades.
Parental involvement in a child’s education holds great importance. Whether it’s during their early years of development or as they approach O/A Levels they require support and guidance through every step and lack of parental involvement can give kids a huge disadvantage.
Every child’s initial learning begins from home. This helps them develop basic skills allowing them to navigate through the world. However, if this early learning is not present it can prove a disadvantage for children. Parents have a significant influence on their children’s behaviour and learning. It helps children have better etiquette in the classroom and appropriately behave according to the situation presented in front of them. The extra involvement on the parents’ part also proves that these children are more likely to become academically successful in the future. They have an improved mindset and are more willing to learn.
If this active and vital part of involvement is absent from a child’s life then it can result in the student being uninterested in their studies. It produces a generation of children who are more likely to miss schoolwork and tests due to the mindset that they are not important. Academic failure is also more likely. Students will not only suffer schoolwise but also their mental health will suffer. With lower grades, their motivation and willingness to go to school also decrease. Eventually, children will also hesitate to approach their parents if they ever struggle in school.
Parental involvement in a child’s education is the difference between staying a straight-A student or becoming neglectful of one’s studies. This is why it is important that this involvement is incorporated from an early age. Simply asking how school was when your child comes home is a great way to start. Encouraging reading, asking questions about their career path and future, praising small successes and more are all great ways to appreciate and encourage your child.