Patterns of Parental Help

Summary

This research explores the nature of the relationship between parental attitudes and children's school performance. Particular emphasis is placed upon the parents' own perspective on the situation that occurs when their children start at infant school and the way in which parental expectations are confirmed or altered during this first term. The parents (usually mothers only) of 50 children were interviewed, once in the term before the children started school and once in their second term at school. One of the patterns that emerged from parents' descriptions given in these interviews is outlined. This pattern provides some evidence of the strength of children's own attitudes in influencing those of their parents. A fourfold classification is developed. This classification demonstrates different ways in which parents describe how the children influenced their parents' responses.