Why family engagement is crucial for schools and children

Abstract

As educators, we know that a child’s home environment is a vital contributory factor towards their cognitive and social development. Bronfenbrenner’s ecological systems theory (1979) highlighted how important the parent–teacher relationship is, and how this has a direct impact on the child at home and in school. Since then, much research and successful programmes recognise that the approach schools take is pivotal in fostering relationships with families (Baker et al., 2016; DeSpain et al., 2018).

How effectively and successfully this is facilitated within a school and delivered to families seemingly lies in the hands of senior management (Sanders & Harvey, 2002). Therefore, in order for schools to be successful in supporting the families they serve, a shift in the approach and methods used to improve family engagement is most certainly necessary.