Long hours on the job, housework, running errands -- these common daily tasks may cause parents to think there aren't enough hours in the day. Yet finding that time to be engaged not only shows kids they matter but also gives them the guidance to make smart choices. In fact, parental involvement in the home can affect children physically, psychologically and socially.
Being Involved
Being involved as a parent goes beyond just supplying necessities such as meals or clothing. Parental involvement in the home means providing an environment that allows kids to flourish. These households have a regular routine, such as sitting together at dinner to discuss the day's events. Being engaged in children's interests and activities -- both in and outside of school -- is a substantial part of parental involvement. Checking in on homework assignments, attending extracurricular events and letting kids know what is expected of them are all important as well.
Health Effects
Parental involvement at home can be a major influence on a child's physical, psychological and social health. Having uninvolved parents -- those that don't institute rules or engage in their children's lives -- can affect kids' ability to form friendships with peers and manage their emotions, according to the University of Delaware's Dr. Dene Garvin Klinzing. They may also have behavior problems. Parental involvement is also important for children making lifestyle changes by helping to guide kids in making dietary decisions including what to eat and portion size, according to a May 2010 review in the journal "Preventative Medicine." Dietary interventions for children may be more effective if parents are directly involved, yet most programs only passively engage them, the authors point out.
Academic Effects
Parents play a pivotal role in their children's academic success as well. A March 2002 report from the Michigan Department of Education highlights this role, revealing that lack of parental involvement is the top challenge in public schools. Children who have engaged parents are more likely to have better attendance, motivation and grades. They are also at lower risk for dropping out of school, using drugs and having behavior problems. The report states that family involvement was a better predictor of academic success than many other factors including socioeconomic stasis.
Challenges
Staying involved isn't always easy, particularly when parents have full-time jobs or have multiple children in the home. Divorce can also be a major challenge as both adults and their kids adjust to a new single-parent home. Children may blame themselves or feel unwanted when a parent leaves the home, which can have repercussions on their academic success and psychological wellness. It's important that, if at all possible, both parents stay involved in as many activities as possible. Maintaining routines, such as those family dinners, are also vital.
References
- Michigan Department of Education; What Research Says about Parent Involvement in Children's Education in Relation to Academic Achievement; March 2002
- University of Delaware UDaily; Parenting Styles Can Influence Children; Kathy Canavan; May 2005
- "Preventative Medicine"; Parental Involvement in Interventions to Improve Child Dietary Intake: A Systematic Review; Melanie D. Hingle, et al.; May 2010
- University of Missouri Extension; Helping Children Understand Divorce; Kim Leon, Kelly Cole
