Parent participation in children’ school readiness: The effects of parental self-efficacy, cultural diversity and teacher strategies

Many early intervention programs have been shaped by the notion that children’s development should be studied in the contexts of family and community. Reciprocal parent-child interaction is a key feature of child development in those contexts. Parent involvement, parental self-efficacy and parenting style are factors that influence parent-child interactions and contribute to early development, the transition to school, and future child outcomes. This study examined parent factors and teacher strategies to foster parent involvement and efficacy in a unique Canadian preschool intervention program in the Greater Toronto area. ESL (n=64) and English-speaking (n=59) parent groups, who participated in schoo-based Parenting and Readiness Center programs with their 4-year olds, were compared on goals for participation, parenting style, feelings of self-efficacy as a result of program participation and on their perceptions of teachers as model. Overall findings suggest that parents who perceive themselves as more effective are more involved in their children’s education at the pre-school level. Teacher strategies are described as a key feature in facilitating parent involvement and parental self-efficacy.

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