Parental Involvement In Early Childhood Education In Ogun-State, Nigeria: Implication For Counselling

Abstract

Parental involvement has a greater impact on the academic achievement of elementary aged students than secondary students hence the need for counselling intervention for parents. This research aims to provide descriptive data on the challenges faced by parents during involvement in early childhood education and obtain empirical data on the relationship between challenges of parental involvement and its effects on early childhood education. The research utilized descriptive survey design with a sample size of 230 respondents which were randomly selected from two private and public Nursery schools in Ogun State, Nigeria. Questionnaire was used to elicit responses and pilot study revealed Cronbach’s alpha reliability of 0.95. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistical tools.Parents take children to places to learn special things” (mean = 3.47) ranked first among parental involvement in early childhood education. “Parents attend to their children’s assignment” (mean = 3.45) ranked first among the factors considered in parental involvement. There is no significant relationship between challenges faced during parental involvement and its effect on early childhood education. It was concluded that parental involvement in early childhood education has a great role to play in the future educational pursuit of the children. It was recommended that counselling intervention should be done on disseminating knowledge of the roles expected of parents in early childhood education through seminars, workshops, parents-teachers’ association forum, and mass media.