Family Involvement, School Outreach, and Children's Interpersonal Skill Gains

• In Event: Family Engagement in Early Childhood

Abstract

In this study, we used six hierarchical linear models (HLM) to analyze the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study: Kindergarten-2011 (ECLS-K: 2011) data. The aim is to examine the relationships among different types of family involvement practices, school outreach efforts to families, and kindergarteners' interpersonal skill gains. Overall,
family involvement in school, at home, and school support to families all had positive effects on children's interpersonal skills gains. The effects of school on children's interpersonal competence are mediated family involvement in school and at home,
respectively. Besides, non-ELs showed higher interpersonal skills gains compared to ELs. The findings reveal that family involvement and school outreach practices can positively influence children’s interpersonal skills, indicating the significance of establishing a partnership between families and schools.

Authors

• Bizhu He, Texas A&M University - College Station

• Hector H. Rivera, Texas A&M University - College Station