Batta 1

2.1 Family Engagement

4.6.1 Describe the advantages and importance of family or caregiver involvement in learner

development.

Family involvement is an important role that plays into a child’s education. Some parents

are involved, while others are not. ​Family involvement plays an important role in a child's

education. ​As a teacher it is important to stay in communication with all student’s parents’ and

communicate with them regularly. It is known that children perform better when parents are

involved. They generally achieve better grades, test scores and attendance. The beneficial part of

communication for parents is that they grow a better understanding of the teacher’s job and

school’s curriculum. Parents also increase their interaction and discussion with their children and

are more responsive and sensitive to their child’s social, emotional and intellectual

developmental needs (evidence 2.1.1). As for the school, involvement with parents tends to

establish better reputations in the community and experience more support from the community

(evidence 2.1.1).

Communication between parents and the teacher allows for them to build rapport.

Rapport means a close and harmonious relationship in which people understand each other’s

feelings or ideas and communicate well with one another. If a parent is involved, it gives the

teacher the opportunity to build those relationships and get to the point ​where parents want to be

involved in the classroom and supportive of the teacher​. Without that involvement, it is hard for

the teacher to understand a student and how they can help them succeed academically.

According to Waterford.org, “The best predictor of student success is the extent to which

families encourage learning at home and involve themselves in their child’s education” (evidence
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2.2.2). Student success isn’t always achievable if the parents are not in the academic picture.

Teachers who focus on parent engagement often see a profound change in their classrooms. The

more parents involved in their child’s education, the better their entire class’s motivation,

behavior and grades become (evidence 2.2.2). In theory, the parent involvement is important for

not just a single student, but for the whole classroom as well.

When it comes to working with parents, it isn’t going to be the same conversation or

situation for every parent. There are different types of parents, which include: demanding and

absent parents. Demanding parents often prefer to have the teacher talk with the student first and

see how you can help them in the classroom (evidence 2.2.3). ​To deal with demanding parents

teachers can ​schedule a meeting with the parent (in person/ over the phone) to have a

conversation about the situation that is occurring with the student. During that conversation, the

parents may try to demand a certain grade for their student. Which then, the teacher may give the

parents the opportunity to understand that grades are not as important as the student retaining and

understanding the content given to them (evidence 2.2.3). Teachers can allow the parent to talk

about their concerns and come up with a plan on how the teacher and parents can work together

to create a solution to the problem. As for the absent type parent, getting in contact with them

may be difficult. Sending letters home with the student is an option that can have the parents

physically see you are trying to get a hold of them and have a conversation with them. But, the

student may never give their parents the letter and the parents will never know that the teacher is

trying to meet with them. Phone calls may be made to get the parent to answer you or emails can

be sent, that way they can see that you have made the effort to reach out to them and it is their

fault that they did not answer and help fix the issue with you. It is important that if they are an
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absent parent due to full time working, that the teacher shows them they understand their

situation and are here to help them and are flexible (evidence 2.2.3).

The value of parent involvement is very important, parents have the opportunity to be an

active part in their child’s education when given multiple different ways of involvement. One

way a teacher can keep parents involved is by sending out class newsletters. For example, if a

student teacher were to come into the classroom to observe and work with the students, it is

crucial that the parents are informed on what is going on (evidence 2.2.4).​ A weekly newsletter

can inform parents on​ topics like, weekly assignments, upcoming events, classroom reminders,

fun information and teacher contact information (evidence 2.2.5). Creating these newsletters

helps keep parents engaged in their child’s academics and provides them with all the information

they need week by week. Giving parents the information weekly allows them to avoid being

overwhelmed by what their child is learning and needs to complete for the class. It also keeps the

parents informed on key dates that they need to keep in their minds.​ Creating newsletters helps

the teacher ​know that they are helping the parents and the parents are helping the students and

teacher. Setting up student led conferences is another way to promote parent involvement.

According to TeachHub.com, student led conferences help a student’s support system understand

how best to support the student in the classroom and at home (evidence 2.2.6). This type of

meeting also helps with collaboration at home and at school. It allows the student to demonstrate

what they have learned and what they are most proud of with their academics, while also

reflecting on what they need support on and what can be improved on with the support system.

Using this type of involvement benefits all parties of the support system. Parent involvement

allows for parents, students and teachers to work together to provide the best academic path for

the student to pave the way for success.

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There are many advantages and important points when it comes to family involvement in

a child’s education. It starts with excellent communication between parents and teachers, as well

as involving the student in their academic path. It is important to understand what kind of parent

you are working with and how best to work with them to benefit everyone, especially the

student.