Parent Involvement in Early Childhood: Exploring Connections Between Family Culture, Educational Values, and Engagement

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Abstract

Culture is an important factor which can influence parents’ involvement with their children, yet families' culture may be often overlooked or misunderstood in education. The present study is a mixed-methods investigation which examined the cultural values and involvement of 53 culturally and linguistically diverse preschool families. Pearson correlations revealed relationships emerged between parents’ home-based educational activities and aspects of parent involvement. Hierarchical regressions revealed that educational values predicted parents’ home-based activities, and an interaction suggested the protective nature of educational values on parents’ home-based educational activities. Thematic analysis of eight family interviews revealed patterns which supported and added depth to quantitative findings. Parents reported strong educational values and a myriad of ways they engaged with their children, predominantly at home.

Authors

• Catherine R Gaspar, Teachers College, Columbia University

• Laudan Jahromi, Teachers College, Columbia University