Early Parental Support as Predictor of Early Literacy Skills: A Study from Four Administrative Districts in Ghana

Abstract

<p>This study from four administrative districts in Ghana suggest that early parental involvement<br />in their children’s literacy practices is likely to predict better effects on these children in basic<br />reading skills. The benefits of parental involvement and support as predictor of literacy and<br />educational achievement are enormous. They go beyond early academic achievement in<br />pre-school. Early exposure to reading with parents from the homes predisposes children for<br />formal basic literacy instruction. Indeed, early involvement of parents in their child’s reading is<br />found to be the number one critical factor contributing positively to language and emergent<br />literacy. Home reading activities in which parents are involved significantly influence<br />achievements in reading as well as in language comprehension and expressive language skills.<br />This report also points to possible link between educational background of parents and<br />children’s reading achievement at the pre-school: the higher the parental education background,<br />the higher the level of home involvement predicting children’s early achievement in literacy<br />skills.</p>