Improving outcomes

The link between social disadvantage and underachievement is well-established and is compounded for children from minority ethnic backgrounds where English is not the language spoken at home.

Parents are key to improving outcomes for children, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds. When parents have the knowledge and skills to play and engage in simple learning activities at home with their children as part of normal daily life, this can help their children overcome risk factors such as poverty and class that are linked to underachievement and a continued cycle of social exclusion.

  • How parents relate to their children from the moment of birth and what they do with them during their early years has a major impact on children's later social, emotional and intellectual development. Sylva et al, 2004
  • The quality of a child's relationships and learning experiences in the family has more influence on future achievement than innate ability, material circumstances or the quality of pre-school and school provision. Sylva et al, 2004
  • It is possible to engage parents from disadvantaged backgrounds in their children's learning. Evangelou et al, 2008
The 2008 DCSF briefing for local authorities Supporting parents to engage in their child's early learning highlights why programmes and mainstream funding that support parental engagement in their young children's learning and development should be prioritised within local decision making and Children and Young People's Plans.

The research evidence about the importance of a child's early years is highly significant when making strategic decisions about allocation of resources. A child's future is significantly shaped by early relationships, brain development and play-based learning opportunities. The earlier in a child's life that resources to support parenting and parent involvement in learning are focused, the more impact they will have in turning round cycles of disadvantage.

We recommend for further reading pages found under "Creating Effective Services":
Last updated: 1st February 2010 at 04:02:49