Parenting Impacts on Academic Achievement

Billy keeps coming home with C’s and D’s in every subject and Stephanie is having trouble taking tests. Before you give another speech about them not doing what they should be doing, consider the following. Up until age 18, children spend less than 15% of their waking hours at school. Most of the remaining time is spend under the educational guidance of their parents.

Are you spending your time with your children wisely? Research shows that when parents are personally involved in education, their children get better grades and test scores, are more likely to graduate from high school, go on to higher education, and are better behaved and have a more positive attitude.

The following are a few steps that several sources recommend to improve your children’s education. First, read together. Children who read at home with their parents perform better in school.

Next, use television wisely. Academic achievement drop sharply for children who watch more than ten hours of television a week, or an average of more than two hours a day.

Last, establish a daily routine. Studies show that successful students have parents who create and maintain family routines, including a regular time for homework as well as a quiet place to study. Parents, don’t forget that it take two major institutions, the home and the school, to successfully educate a child.