Parental Involvement for Academic Success

If the learner is the student, why should the parents be involved in their education? Does a teacher need to take the first step to communicate with the parents to encourage engagement and involvement?

We know that the “Learning Triangle” consists of the teacher, the student, and the parents. Keeping in mind that children learn through listening, speaking, reading, and writing, their first teachers are their parents. They listen to them and express themselves verbally. Some of them also receive a foundation of reading and writing at home. So, why are many parents not involved in their children’s education? The truth is that there is a language barrier that becomes a hurdle for parents to communicate with the teacher. This causes low self-esteem and an embarrassment for parents. It’s not that they are not interested in their child’s education and performance.

Involving parents in their children’s education has several advantages. They might be able to help alter their child’s behavior in school by reinforcing positive words and actions. If they understand the overall expectations at school, they can engage in helpful conversations with their children at home. When students are aware that their teachers and parents are in constant communication about their education, they get a clear message about the importance of learning and growing.

How do we help these parents to feel comfortable in reaching out to the school principal or their child’s teacher? Teachers can use other teachers as resources  if they speak the same language as the student’s family. Or, instead of waiting for them to reach out, a teacher can break the ice to communicate with the child’s parents.