3 research outputs found
Effective teacher-parent communication strategies for enhancing children's learning in early-grade classes: a cross-contextual study
No full textTeacher-parent communication is vital for improving children's learning at school and in their home environment. However, its practice is faced with varied challenges. Therefore, the study explored barriers to teacher-parent communication and proposed strategies to strengthen it, aiming to support children's learning in the early grades in Tanzania. This study employed a qualitative research approach, underpinned by a phenomenological design. Data were gathered through focus group discussions with 60 parents and in-depth interviews with 30 teachers and 10 head teachers who were purposefully selected. Thematic analysis was employed in the data analysis process. The results indicated multiple barriers to effective teacher-parent communication. These included teacher-related factors, such as the use of technical language and negative attitudes toward parents; parent-related challenges, including limited communication skills, prior negative school experiences, socioeconomic constraints, and inflexible schedules. Others included school administration issues, involving inadequate planning for school-community communication and pupil-related factors, such as a lack of trust in teachers and unrealistic expectations regarding parent communication. Therefore, effective communication requires collaborative efforts among teachers, administrators, and parents. Key strategies include fostering trust, using accessible language, respecting diverse perspectives and involving parents in classroom and school activities. Others involve providing engagement opportunities through workshops, seminars, and shared decision-making. The study concludes that teacher-parent communication depends on joint efforts from all key stakeholders (teachers, parents, pupils and school administration) involved in children's learning. It, therefore, recommends that each part play an active role in enhancing communication
Early grade pupils’ development of Mathematics skills: Perceived challenges and culturally relevant strategies for parental involvement
No full textThe current study investigated challenges facing parental involvement and culturally relevant strategies for improving parental involvement in the development of mathematics skills among grade two pupils. A phenomenological qualitative design was employed. A semi-structured interview was used to gather data from 12 early-grade teachers and ten heads of schools. Focused group discussion (FGD) was used to collect data from 63 parents. Thematic analysis procedures guided the data analysis procedure, which was aided by pivotal analysis. The study findings revealed that teachers focused on parents’ negative attitude towards the subject while parents reported lack of time and economic hardship as factors affecting their participation in engaging in children’s mathematics learning. However, all participants agreed that parents’ mathematics knowledge is a factor that affects their involvement. Regardless of the participants’ category, the provision of interactive mathematics homework and communication through parents’ meetings (group and individuals) were regarded as the best strategies for involving parents in learners’ development of mathematics skills. The study concludes that the parents agree with the critical role of their involvement despite the challenges facing parental involvement. Therefore, the study recommends that awareness programs and the use of interactive mathematics homework activities are critical to improved parental involvement in their children’s learning
LINKING HOME AND SCHOOL THROUGH MATHEMATICS HOMEWORK; INSIGHTS INTO EFFECTIVE INTERACTIVE MATHEMATICS HOMEWORK DESIGN FOR EARLY LEARNERS
No full textThe phenomenon that many young learners continue to underperform due to limited home-based support and weak parental involvement though. This study investigates the critical features of effective Interactive Mathematics Homework (IMH) as a strategy to enhance early-grade pupils’ mathematics skills and foster meaningful parental engagement. Employing a qualitative case study design, data were collected through Focused Group Interviews (FGIs) with 63 parents and semi-structured interviews with 21 teachers and 10 head teachers across primary schools in Ukerewe District, Tanzania. Thematic analysis revealed four key characteristics of effective IMH, such ad a manageable number of questions, the inclusion of guided instructions, consistent feedback mechanisms, and alignment with the school curriculum. These elements were found to influence both the usability of the homework for families and its instructional value. The findings suggest that well-designed IMH can bridge the home–school gap in early mathematics education, encouraging collaborative efforts between teachers and parents. The study recommends integrating IMH into early-grade teaching practices to improve pupil outcomes and strengthen family-school partnerships in foundational mathematics learning
