Parental engagement strategies in Greek and Nigerian preschool settings: cross-country comparison |
| |
| Authors: | Konstantina Rentzou Adefunke Ekine |
| |
| Institution: | 1. Department of Educational Sciences, European University of Cyprus, Nicosia, Cyprus;2. Deputy Director Research and Innovation (DAPQAR), Tai Solarin University of Education, Ijagun, Nigeria |
| |
| Abstract: | Acknowledging the fact that parental engagement is more beneficial during early childhood compared to other developmental stages many countries have institutionalised parental engagement. In Nigeria, the government has taken initiatives in order to involve parents in their child's development by encouraging the establishment of School Management Boards in the public schools and Parents Teachers Association in the private schools. On the contrary, in Greece home and preschool settings have separate roles and parent/teacher relationships have a long way to go towards becoming partnerships. In order to examine how Greek and Nigerian parents engage in their preschool children's education, 30 Greek and 30 Nigerian early childhood educators filled in the School, Family, and Community Partnerships Survey. Results suggest that parental engagement activities in both countries are not yet part of the schools' programme and they need improvement. Results have implications for the status of ECEC in both countries and the state's intensions to open pathways for collaboration in order to foster an inspiring vision for childhood. |
| |
| Keywords: | Parental and community engagement Epstein’s typology early childhood education and care quality Greece Nigeria |
|
|
