The Effects of Parent Involvement in Kid's Education

When parents are involved in the education of their children, statistics show, the children do better academically. As reported by the North Lincolnshire Council in the United Kingdom, according to research done in 2003 by the National Child Development Study (NCDS), parental involvement has significant positive effects on the academic achievements of children into their adolescence. Regardless of how advanced a school is academically, children need the encouragement of their parents to perform to their optimum potential.

Higher Grades

According to research done by Harvard University's Family Research Project, children of various socioeconomic backgrounds, as well as culturally diverse backgrounds, achieve higher academically when there is strong positive parental involvement in their education. The higher that the standards are which parents expect of their children's academic performance, the more successful the students are in the areas of grades and tests.

Behavior and Absenteeism

Not only does the involvement of parents have a positive effect on academic success in their child's education, according to the National Education Association, parental involvement in a child's education helps kids by showing up as an improvement in their behavior and a reduction in their days of being absent. Their socialization skills also tend to be more positive and advanced.

Networking with Other Parents & the Child's Teachers

One way of being very involved with a child's education is by networking with other parents and staying in regular contact with the child's teacher. Attending regularly scheduled parent-teacher conferences lets the teacher know that you care about your child's learning experience, and the child gets this message as well. Set up a regular weekly or biweekly email or written communication system to check on your child's progress and get advice from the teacher in how you can best help your child in their studies. Additionally, attending PTO meetings at the child's school allows parents to meet each other and collaborate on ideas to improve the education for their children.

Ways of Getting Involved

There are many ways of getting involved in a child's education. It can start with something as simple as reading to your child each day and, as he gets older, take turns with him reading every other page to you. Go over her homework with her and be readily available to help in assignments when needed. Attending school functions such as choir performances and plays and volunteering on field trips are ways of getting involved and communicating to your kids that you care about them and their education.