Digital solutions for parental engagement in foundational learning

• In Event: Digital innovations for accelerating foundational learning: engaging learners, teachers, parents, and systems

Proposal

Parental engagement is a crucial component of improving FLN outcomes, particularly in early childhood. However, many parents lack the tools and resources to effectively support their children's learning at home. This presentation examines how digital tools are transforming parental engagement in foundational learning in India and Brazil, bridging gaps between home and school to foster stronger learning environments.

In India, mobile applications designed for parents provide guidance on supporting early literacy and numeracy development, using localized content and culturally relevant examples to engage users. Brazil has developed online resources that cater to parents with different literacy levels, offering interactive modules, videos, and downloadable activities to enhance parental involvement in their children's education. Both initiatives have resulted in increased parental participation, which has been linked to improvements in children’s learning outcomes.

However, challenges remain in ensuring equitable access to these digital tools, particularly for parents from marginalized communities who may face barriers such as limited digital literacy, lack of internet access, and socioeconomic constraints. The presentation will highlight efforts to overcome these challenges, such as creating offline versions of digital content, partnering with local community organizations to provide digital literacy training, and using low-cost, user-friendly platforms that are accessible even on basic mobile devices.

Using a combination of quantitative and qualitative data, the impact of these initiatives has been assessed by tracking changes in parental involvement and corresponding learning outcomes in children. Findings suggest that digital engagement tools can be powerful enablers of parental involvement in education when designed inclusively. The presentation will offer recommendations for scaling these digital solutions, ensuring they are accessible to all parents, regardless of background, and can be adapted to different contexts.

By drawing on experiences from India and Brazil, this presentation will provide valuable insights into how digital innovations can support parents and caregivers in their roles as co-educators, contributing to improved foundational learning outcomes globally.

Author

• Fumiaki Sagisaka, UNICEF