ROLE OF PARENTS IN SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT OF EARLY LEARNERS

Abstract

This research study was conducted to explore the role of parents in social development of early learners. The study was based on the following objectives; to identify the social skills of early graders, and to investigate parent practices used for social development of their children. The study was conducted on parents (both mother and father) and their children studying in early childhood education at ten schools in Channi Goth, Tehsil Ahmedpur East, District Bahawalpur. Likert scale questionnaire was used to collect the data from the parents. The researcher administered questionnaire personally and the response rate was hundred percent. The researcher visited the early childhood class rooms to get social skills data from the children by observation. Additionally, this research study examined the frequency, mean, and standard deviation. The researcher developed observation sheet to test these strategies in natural setting. The observation sheet has two main options, yes and no which were designed to validate the given strategies. The observation results by the researcher revealed that children have some areas of strength in their social skills development, but they have difficulty in a number of areas of understanding and following rules, comprehending and respecting the rights of others, and responding positively to social cues from peers.  The results of parent’s response regarding child’s social skills development suggest that parents have positive perceptions, and feel that their child is cheerful and understands people’s social cues, and doesn’t feel difficulty behaving and understanding the feelings of peers. On the other hand, the results of parent’s practices regarding social skills development indicated that parents generally supportive of their children's social skills development by volunteering their time and involving in their children's education and social activities. It is suggested that parents need to evaluate their parenting practices for social skills development in children. The government also needs to take some action to establish a promising environment in school and at home to develop healthy social skills among students.

Keywords: Parental engagement, Early childhood, Parental support and behavior, Parent-child relationship and social competence