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A gift for life

ALISON FARNELL says parental involvement in their children's education is one of the best investment any mum or dad can make

What are you giving your child this Christmas?

Jesus assumes that parents will give their children good things. That’s implicit when he asked: “And if your son asks for a fish, would you give him a snake?” The expected answer is obvious: “Of course not!”

We probably all try to follow Paul’s advice in Ephesians that we should endeavour to bring our children up in the ‘training and instruction of the Lord’. That’s one sort of gift to a child.

A recent research summary, published by the DfES*, makes it clear that when parents get involved with their child’s education, it has a huge impact on the child’s development and achievement. That’s surely another important gift to a child.

Children’s education is a partnership between parents and school. But parents have the prime responsibility and are the major influence. Parents can get involved in the life of the school. But more importantly, they can support their child’s learning at home and at school.

The research encourages parents to begin early. Children are naturally inquisitive and curious. They’re always asking: “Why?” At home and about, parents can encourage their child to explore, discover and experiment! Then it comes naturally to help a child with colours, numbers, sounds and letters. The research shows that play, fun and physical activity all help the child’s development.

At primary school, getting involved in helping your child read will mean that they significantly improve. Helping with homework (and turning the TV off!) is important. The involvement of a father/father figure is particularly important, both to boys and girls.

Doing things together out of school, such as walking, cycling, visiting places of interest, museums, theatres, cinema, and talking with children about what they are finding out has very positive results. The children potentially attain more at school. And there is a spin-off! Their earning potential is increased and they will become better citizens!

The research shows that parental involvement in their children’s education right through to secondary school means that they will do better at age 16!

But there is a warning – the biggest disadvantage to a child’s progress in education is nothing to do with social class or environment, but is lack of parental interest.

So, what will you give your child this Christmas?

To find out about other ways to help your child learn, check out www.parentcentre.gov.uk (School life – help your child to learn)

*(DfES paper LEA/0339/2003)

Alison Farnell is Education Projects Manager at The Stapleford Centre

© Christian Family Network
is run by CPO, supported by
Care for the Family, Marriage Resource, Positive Parenting,
Care, Women Alive, Christian Herald and many others.


		A gift for life ALISON FARNELL says parental involvement in their children's education is one of the best investment any mum or dad can make What are you giving your child this Christmas? Jesus assumes that parents will give their children good things. That’s implicit when he asked: “And if your son asks for a fish, would you give him a snake?” The expected answer is obvious: “Of course not!” We probably all try to follow Paul’s advice in Ephesians that we should endeavour to bring our children up in the ‘training and instruction of the Lord’. That’s one sort of gift to a child. A recent research summary, published by the DfES, makes it clear that when parents get involved with their child’s education, it has a huge impact on the child’s development and achievement. That’s surely another important gift to a child. Children’s education is a partnership between parents and school. But parents have the prime responsibility and are the major influence. Parents can get involved in the life of the school. But more importantly, they can support their child’s learning at home and at school. The research encourages parents to begin early. Children are naturally inquisitive and curious. They’re always asking: “Why?” At home and about, parents can encourage their child to explore, discover and experiment! Then it comes naturally to help a child with colours, numbers, sounds and letters. The research shows that play, fun and physical activity all help the child’s development. At primary school, getting involved in helping your child read will mean that they significantly improve. Helping with homework (and turning the TV off!) is important. The involvement of a father/father figure is particularly important, both to boys and girls. Doing things together out of school, such as walking, cycling, visiting places of interest, museums, theatres, cinema, and talking with children about what they are finding out has very positive results. The children potentially attain more at school. And there is a spin-off! Their earning potential is increased and they will become better citizens! The research shows that parental involvement in their children’s education right through to secondary school means that they will do better at age 16! But there is a warning – the biggest disadvantage to a child’s progress in education is nothing to do with social class or environment, but is lack of parental interest. So, what will you give your child this Christmas? To find out about other ways to help your child learn, check out www.parentcentre.gov.uk (School life – help your child to learn) (DfES paper LEA/0339/2003) Alison Farnell is Education Projects Manager at The Stapleford Centre © Christian Family Network is run by CPO, supported by Care for the Family, Marriage Resource, Positive Parenting, Care, Women Alive, Christian Herald and many others.