What is the significance of engaging parents in literacy development?

Engaging parents in literacy development is crucial because it has been widely shown that parental involvement significantly enhances a child's motivation to learn and supports their literacy skills at home. When parents are actively involved in their children's reading and literacy activities, it creates a positive environment that encourages children to engage with books and reading materials. This involvement can take many forms, such as reading together, discussing stories, and providing access to a variety of reading resources.

Research indicates that children whose parents participate in their literacy development tend to have better academic outcomes, including improved reading comprehension and a greater love for reading. Such involvement helps reinforce the skills learned at school and can make learning more effective. Furthermore, when parents demonstrate a value for literacy, children are more likely to adopt similar attitudes, fueling their interest and motivation.

In contrast, claiming that engagement decreases student interest or asserting that it is only necessary for older students does not reflect the broad evidence supporting the importance of parental involvement in literacy from an early age. Similarly, the suggestion that parents have little effect on a child's literacy skills undermines the substantial influence that a supportive home environment can provide in promoting literacy development.