5 May 2017
New resources help parents engage in their child’s education
A suite of fact sheets that give parents tips and ideas to help their children learn at home from the early years right through to secondary school have been released to support parents to engage in their child’s education.
The 5 fact sheets focus on what parents can do to support their child’s learning in primary school, secondary school and in the early years, as well as how to communicate with their child’s preschool or school and how the whole family can learn together.
Early Years and Child Development Executive Director Ann-Marie Hayes said parents are a child’s first educator and influence their learning before school, during school and long after.
“Research shows that children and young people thrive academically when their parents are involved in their education,” Ann-Marie said.
“We also know that strong partnerships between teachers and parents can have a hugely positive impact on a child’s outcomes. Regular communication between preschools and schools with their parent community is essential to this. If a parent knows what their child is learning in the classroom, they can then take this learning back home and support further development.
“The fact sheets touch on some really important ways parents can support their child’s learning in the home, as well as ways parents can communicate best with schools.
“Ultimately it’s about developing good relationships between parents and educators for the benefit of the child and sharing information about what is going on in the child’s life.
The fact sheets, along with a range of other helpful information about how parents can engage in their child’s education, are also available via a new parent-focused page on the DECD website.