1. The Role of parents’ in children's education Emebet Mulugeta (Ph.D.) Associate Professor of Psychology, Addis Ababa University Founder and Director. Nia Center for Children family Development

2. Outline O What is parenting? O Parents' Role in Children's Education as an Aspect of Parenting O The Impacts of Parental Involvement on Children's Education O Parent - Child Relationship O Parents Involvement in Children’s Education: The How To’s O Involving in Children's Education O The Role of Schools O The Role of Parents O Conclusions and Recommendations

3. Parenting O Parenting is a whole package involving giving birth, fulfilling the [physical, social and psychological needs, and in general nurturing to ensure the holistic development of a child. O Parenting involves: O Ensuring children’s health and safety, O Basic necessities and ensuring health and physical development

4. Parenting … O Parenting involves: O Preparing children for life as productive adults, and O Education, necessary social skills, inculcating the curiosity for knowledge O Transmitting cultural values. O A sense of right or wrong in the context of the culture.

5. Parental Involvement O Parents are the prime educators until the child starts school and they remain a major influence. O Thus, the school and parents both have crucial roles to play. O PI is the engagement of parents in the learning process of their children. O It involves the availability of parents in terms of time and attention. and their participation in the educational process ranging from helping out in homework to participating in different school activities.

6. The Impacts of Parental Involvement O Children in early years O What parents do in terms of cognitive/intellectual development at home: O Reading, talking, listening, playing with alphabets, numbers and shapes, songs, and visiting places. O Children who have been helped show high level of preparedness Good attitude towards schooling and high level attainment.

7. The Impacts … O Children in school age years O One of the important factors for academic success despite parental background, O An important factor for preventing dropout, O Inspires children to learn and achieve, and O Predicts school achievement in 20s and adulthood.

8. The Impacts … What do studies say about parents’ involvement? O Children of involve parents: O are absent less frequently O behave better O do better academically from pre-school through high school O go farther in school O go to better schools O Parents' involvement is a protective factor against adolescent smoking, depression, eating disorders, academic struggles, and other problems.

9. The Impacts … O The attitudes and aspirations of parents and of children themselves predict later educational achievement.

10. High-quality Parent-child Relationship O A high-quality parent-child relationship is critical for parental involvement and overall healthy development. O Communicate, talk!!!

11. High-quality Parent-child Relationship O What do we do? Start early O Listen. O Use age appropriate language. O Model what you preach. O Reward and appreciate. O When admonishing, also indicate the positive aspects. Open communication between parents and children to increase each child’s self-esteem and confidence,

12. Forms of Parental Involvement O Prepare an effective learning environment. O Make an effort to become familiar with your children’s educational program. O Involving in children’s homework; O Ask about the children’s homework, look at their homework, support them. O Setting up higher but realistic expectation for educational achievement. O Look at their strengths and support them in their short points.

13. Forms of Parental Involvement O Monitor child’s learning process. O Allocate time for homework, chores, play time and dinner. O Limit how much time your children can watch TV. O Ask questions about your child’s experience at school and have open conversations each day about school.

14. Forms of Parental Involvement O Participate in school events. O Attend parent teacher conferences. O Volunteer with school activities. O Set aside time every day to read, sing or tell stories to your children. O Maintain a positive and supportive home environment to increase the morale of children.

15. Role of the School O Organize ongoing school events to give parents opportunities to come to the schools regularly and take active roles in regular school activities. O Establish homework policies and diaries. O Provide positive reinforcement to students who complete their homework on a regular basis. O Create learning activities in which parents can participate.

16. Role of the School O Organize Parent-Teacher Conferencing. O Create opportunities for parents to volunteer in some school activities. O Have the belief that parents are always ready to help their children.

17. Cyclic Nature of Involvement and Academic Achievement High Academic Achievement Recognition & Appreciation More time spent on Education Increased Aspiration and Work Parental Involvement