Parental Support in Child’s Education

Parents are the primary source of learning for children at a young stage. From learning to speak the first word to learning behavioural patterns of interaction. Home is the first school for children, and parents are the teachers at home. They create a significant impact on their child’s learning at an early age. They are not just parents for a child but role models. This means that patent interaction affects a child’s psychology to a large extent, ultimately dictating their behaviour pattern. Their development of cognitive abilities begins at an early age, even before they step into kindergarten, by learning to speak, play with toys, learn to use colours etc.

Therefore, we should not make the mistake of overlooking a child’s education happening only at school, and teachers are responsible for their child’s growth rather than the fact that learning occurs at home first. In fact, a child’s education and care at home affect their educational performance in a classroom atmosphere. Although parents are not necessarily responsible for teaching their kids subjects such as Biology or mathematics, their emotional support and words of encouragement can have a direct effect.

How does the parents’ role affect a child’s education?

1. Parents as role models

As has been said, education is overall development. A child having a positive environment can have a direct impact on their temperament. It’s a proven observation that a child brought in a positive atmosphere affects their cognitive abilities at a later stage in life. Therefore, parents play primary roles in making provisions for a healthy environment.

As children are likely to imitate and repeat what they see and experience. They tend to admire their parents for being role models because they are their teachers, provider, supporter and friends. So, they have the advantage of inculcating the best in them. Give essential lessons in life, impart values and help them navigate to do better in life. They also have access to be an inspiration outside and inside the house.

2. Participate in a child’s learning/activities

The parents’ role in participating in the child’s activities can create a feeling of being supported. Children tend to feel more confident about themselves when they are beckoned by their parents. In the process, it directly affects child-parent bonding and builds trust and friendships. Parents can always get themselves engaged with activities such as playing board games, puzzles, and monopoly, and uno can drive not just their cognitive abilities but parenting bonding becomes strong with their kids. In this way, parents get a deep understanding of how they feel, think and realise their potential.

3. Mindful of constructive criticism

When children are rebuked directly for making mistakes, they are likely to feel unsupported. It can lead to demotivation. Children would not open up about their struggles when they were demoted by the words of their parents. Therefore, parents need to understand that their criticism should be in a way that makes their kids feel loved and motivated. This should especially make them realise what they are doing wrong and drive them to improve themselves.

A healthy criticism can always lead to self-introspection about what one has done. It helps a kid to work for self-betterment. But when overly harsh words are thrown at the kids without love and heated criticism, it can leave a painful wound, and they are likely to feel dejected and distant from their parents.

4. Leaving space for your kids to make their own decision

Many a time, parents tend to perceive that kids make bad decisions. That parents know what’s best for their children. This may be right up to a certain extent, but unless children are not given the freedom to make their own decision, they will never learn to take risks. They may likely become too dependent on their parents.

Kids at an early age should be taught to make decisions by themselves. They are allowing kids to enjoy learning at their own pace rather than compulsive learning at home. And as they age, they should not be burdened with career expectations, which could lead to poor academic performance.

Pre-determining a child’s future can become a hurdle to a child’s potential. They should be given guidance but not coerced to become what parents think are their best-fit jobs or careers. This could lead to depression, low self-esteem, lack of self-discovery etc.

Moreover, allowing kids to take action on their own, trusting their potential, and supporting their decision-making can create strong parent-children bonding. Having strong bonding with children can lead to open and friendly conversations about career expectations.

5. Cherish your child’s success

Whether small or big, parents should celebrate their kids’ success. If parents would only be happy when a child scores 90 plus in every subject, this could demotivate a child’s performance. Children have a place to work hard, and parents have a role to be encouraging. Children shouldn’t feel they are not good enough to make their parents happy. This sense of low self-esteem comes when parents neglect to support their kids, even with little things. Nor should kids be compared with other kids in terms of performance or success. This is a large part of growth and learning, no matter how small or great a thing of success could be.