Engaging families in learning - Parents

Becoming a parent is an exciting but potentially overwhelming experience. The first year of the baby's life could be the most important foundations for learning and brain development.  New parents often don't know the challenges they might have to face until the child arrives. This page contains articles and tips for practitioners to share with new parents.

Articles about parenting

• Too early, too much, too long: Should Under-3s Go to Nursery? (The Guardian,  February 2006)
• Parental background and child outcomes: How much does money matter and what else matters?

Tips for new parents

• Parenting practices that shape the lives of young children 
• Parenting - the first twelve months

Parental involvement in children's education

A report published by the Scottish Executive in March 2005 details findings from qualitative research addressing the issue of parental involvement in the education of their children. The need for the research derived from a growing recognition of the importance of the role of parents and home-school partnerships in improving levels of achievement and attainment in schools and the overall quality of the educational experience.

For more information visit the Scottish Government's website.