Date of Award
1-1-1991
Document Type
Practicum
Degree Name
Doctor of Education
Department
Child and Youth Care Administration
Advisor
Georgianna Lowen
Committee Member
Dr. Carol M. Vander Gheynst
Keywords
child development, kindergarten, kindergarten readiness, parent attitudes, parent education, parent involvement, parent participation, parent-school relationship, parent-student relationship, parent-teacher conferences, parent-teacher cooperation, parent workshops, parenting skills, preschool skill development, school readiness
Abstract
The purpose of this practicum was to design and implement a parent education program that would assist parents of entering and established kindergarten children to become actively involved in their child’s education. The primary goal was to help children achieve the skills necessary for a successful kindergarten year. This goal was to be carried out through parent involvement, both in the classroom, at parent workshops and in the home. The writer administered a survey form to both parents and teachers to ascertain the need and interest of a parent program and to determine the most desirable time for a parent program.
The writer provided monthly parent workshops that included the use of videos, games question and answer periods, home activity sheets and a monthly calendar. The parents were kept informed about classroom activities through a monthly newsletter.
The results of the practicum were positive although not the extent expected. Many of the parents who were involved initially were employed to the Middle East due to the war. However the parents who were present did become more involved in the education of their children. They were able to take the classroom learning experiences and expand them at home through the use of the activity sheets. A better parent teacher relationship developed with parents visiting in the classroom and helping with various class projects.