Family Characteristics, Parental Involvement and School Readiness

Children should be given the right start from the early childhood stage until the age of 6 to 8 years, which is the most critical period when the foundations are laid for life-long development and the realization of full potential. This can be attained through a proper school readiness programme. School readiness is a combination of academic, social, and physical skills of the child that are deemed necessary to function adequately under formal learning situations. Home is the first school of a child. The environment at home is a primary socialization agent and influences a child's interest in school and aspirations for the future. Parents play an important role in the life of a child. The characteristics a child imbibes from the family and the involvement shown by parents are deciding factors in the gains that the child makes right from the pre-school stage. There have been positive opinions amongst academics on the aspects of parental involvement and family life that contribute to children's literacy achievement. The book provides useful insights for those working in the field of pre-school education, parents, teachers, policy makers, teacher-educators and administrators