Parents and learning - UNESCO Digital Library

INTERNATIONAL ACADEMY OF EDUCATION

• A not-for-profit scientific association promoting educational research and policy.

• Founded in 1986. Headquartered in Brussels, Belgium (Royal Academy of Science).

• Aims to foster scholarly excellence in education and provide critiques and syntheses of research to inform policy.

Board of Directors

• Erik De Corte, President (University of Leuven, Belgium)

• Herbert Walberg, Vice-President (University of Illinois at Chicago, USA)

• Barry Fraser, Executive Director (Curtin University of Technology, Australia)

• Jacques Hallak (International Bureau of Education, Switzerland)

• Michael Kirst (Stanford University, USA)

• Ulrich Teichler (University of Kassel, Germany)

• Margaret Wang (Temple University, USA)

Series Preface

• Focus on parents’ role in children's education.

• Prepared for the Educational Practices Series curated by IAE for better communication in education.

• Emphasizes the universal nature of learning principles despite diverse socio-economic backgrounds.

Table of Contents

1. Introduction

2. The curriculum of the home

3. The parent/child relationship

4. The routine of family life

5. Family expectations and supervision

6. Homework

7. School/home communication

8. Parental involvement

9. Parent education

10. Family/school relationships

11. Families and communities

12. References

Introduction

• Children face increasing educational demands for skills in reading, writing, and critical thinking.

• Out-of-school influences on academic learning have grown in importance.

• Home environment substantially influences academic achievement; family practices can offset poverty effects.

• Schools have a role in improving home environments to bolster student learning.

1. The Curriculum of the Home

• Family practices positively influence children’s academic success.

• Parent/Child Relationship:

  • Daily conversation, expressions of affection, discussion of educational materials.

  • Engagement in cultural and educational activities such as library visits.

  • Encouragement of vocabulary expansion.

• Routine of Family Life:

  • Establishing study time and daily family activities.

  • Maintaining a designated quiet study area.

• Family Expectations and Supervision:

  • Prioritizing education over entertainment, encouraging punctuality and effort in academics.

2. The Parent/Child Relationship

• Importance of verbal interactions and emotional support from parents.

• Rich language interaction promotes language development and cognitive skills.

• Encouragement of word exploration nurtures vocabulary and communication skills.

3. The Routine of Family Life

• Predictable daily routines strengthen children's capacity for disciplined study.

• Structured time for homework, family meals, and leisure activities supports academic engagement.

4. Family Expectations and Supervision

• High expectations from parents correlate with better academic outcomes.

• Monitoring children’s activities and encouraging a solid work ethic build foundation for success.

5. Homework

• Regular, graded homework enhances student learning and compensates for ability differences.

• Effective homework assignments build study habits and extend learning beyond classroom hours.

6. School/Home Communication

• Effective communication between parents and teachers enhances understanding of student needs.

• Two-way communication methods are vital for engaging parents and supporting student success.

7. Parental Involvement

• Encompasses direct engagement with children, other parents, and school activities.

• Important for parents to collaborate and share responsibilities to bolster support systems for children.

8. Parent Education

• Programs aim to teach parents how to improve home environments for child's learning benefits.

• Strategies include home visits, workshops, and small group sessions led by trained parents.

9. Family/School Relationships

• Schools must engage families using a variety of strategies to accommodate their diverse needs.

• A supportive relationship enhances community and educational outcomes.

10. Families and Communities

• Strong community bonds among families can improve children's safety and development.

• Schools should foster community relationships to enhance educational support.

References

• A compilation of studies and literature related to educational practices and family involvement.