PI has been found to influence children’s academic development. If parents are actively involved in their children’s education and learning process, it benefits children to excel and become academic responsible from a young age. Though there are many contradicting result findings and usually PI can be different from context to context. PI can also mean different to different people in different context. PI can include any method or act parents use to take part in their children’s learning. There is a clear distinction on how parents involve in language or other fields. Looking at the Namibian history which was not an English colony and adopting English as the official language and eliminating the language that was used during the colony.
Having to go through this language transition, most people have to start learning the official language. This has been a challenge, and not many people got the chance as education was then limited. Those people are today’s parents, and thus they are studied to see how they are impacting the children learning.
Epstein came up with an interesting framework which gives a clear picture of what successful parents should do to get themselves involved in the whole aspects of children. This entails the issue of parenting where parents should correctly know the type of parenting. Communicating whereby parents and schools should talk about the children’s education together and decision making in which parents can be part of the decision that the school is making for their voice to be heard. When it comes to working at home, parents should know their roles in how they provide academic support to their children. However, not all parents can do all that as some are not sure of their way of parenting if they are doing it the right way and indeed, they need support. PI can be beneficial to the school community and foster a strong relationship between the school and the home. Teachers´ advice parents to get involved and help children especially when it comes to the homework. Parents tend to have a positive attitude when teachers are reaching to them regarding children. They feel they are part of their children learning. When it comes to children, they are happier when their parents are asking them about their schoolwork.
Not only does it encourage children to continue with their schooling but also create a strong bond as well as increase high self-esteem in children with social skills.
Furthermore, parents have a role to play, not just about raising their children but also supporting their children school life. Parents should know their roles and responsibility when it comes to the children school life. Some of the schools and duties of parents are; making sure that children get to school on time, giving them educational materials such as pens, making sure they receive information from the school regarding their children’s learning and being facilitators at home.
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Moreover, parents should provide access to books, academic technology and exposure to their children. Most importantly, parents should find time to read together with their children, visit libraries and to assist with homework. Not only for academic purpose but it is a great way to bond with their children and create positive relationships.
Most of the parents’ attitudes towards language have a connection with culture and beliefs.
This indicates that it can differ between contexts and depending on the language the second language and how it is affecting their mother tongue. The way parents approach a second or foreign language with their attitude will influence the manner of their children. When parents opt to use a particular language over the other might also cause conflict views in children on which language to learn. Some parents feel a second language is formal and should only use for official purpose while their mother tongue is more of social communication and should be used at home. This is also affected by second language skills. If parents feel they cannot articulate themselves well in the second language, they might not want to give any form of support. Most parents think it is the responsibility of teachers to teach second language learning to the children. In addition, some parents believe providing materials is enough for them to be involved.
There are many strategies that parents can get involved with their children to support language learning. Reading has been one of the methods that have been commonly used which start earlier when parents begin to read bedtime stories to their children. Some of the extramural activities that parents can use with their children are; singing, drawing and playing educational games and puzzles. Moreover, parents can also use the following strategies to support their children language development; helping with the English homework, visiting libraries together with the children, having a reading corner at home, purchasing extra academic resources, enrolling children in language clubs and taking vacation trips to the target language countries with their children.
When it comes to parents' experiences when supporting their children with language learning will also have an impact on how they give support to their children. If parents have positive experiences when they are supporting their children, they are likely to continue with help. On the other hand, if parents have negative experiences they encounter while rendering educational assistance to their children, they are likely to withdraw and avoid continuing with the help.
Besides, it is important to note that parents' experiences with school themselves can also affect how they involve with their children education. It is essential for the teachers to value and
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notice the effort of parents as it is a form of motivation for them. Moreover, some parents might experience some difficulties in some language areas, and this makes it difficult for them to continue, and they are afraid they might provide false information to the children who might bring conflict with what they learn from the teachers.
Usually, parents often select the type of involvement that they have confidence in and they can help the children. Furthermore, there are many factors identified which are hindering parents from supporting their children adequately. Parents who experience lack of time often feel the little time they get will not be enough to influence the children’s learning. In most cases when parents are employed and work far from home, it is difficult for them to schedule the time to spend and give educational assistance to their children. Another factor is the lack of confidence from the parents when they feel that their knowledge in children related activity is limited, they opt not get involved. Some of the factors preventing parents from getting involved with their children learning to include; the different language used, historical and demographic and economy, life context.
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