Parental engagement in children's social behavior development in selected pre-primary schools in Nakawa Division, Kampala District.

Abstract

The study examined the parental engagement practices; children’s social behavior of respectfulness, time management and dress code; and the relationships between parental engagement practices and children’s social behaviors. The study was important because it is now common to find children in primary schools who display poor social behaviors. A qualitative study was conducted through an in-depth case study of two schools in Nakawa Division Kampala District and employed observation of children’s social behaviors and in-depth interview of teachers, school administrators and parents. The study analyzed data findings using a thematic approach where data was put into themes, coded and categorized. Study findings showed that children of engaged parents copied and emulated their parent’s social behaviors of respectfulness, time management and dress code, thus leaving an impact on the children up to adult life. Findings also indicated that those parents who were none engaged had children with poor social behaviors. The study found out that children of engaged parents expressed pro-social behaviors like coming to school on time, finishing the work on time, being respectful of adults, teachers and peers, being adept at time keeping and dressed well, while children of non-engaged parents are most likely to have poor social behaviors of respectfulness, time management and dress code. Therefore parental engagement in children’s lives is a precursor for children’s pro-social behaviors and must be promoted throughout the national educational ladder.