Factors influencing successful parental involvement in Children’s education: Perspectives from kindergarten teachers and parents in China

Parental involvement in children’s education can benefit children, families, and schools. However, various barriers are hindering parental involvement in practice. Considering that early childhood education plays a critical role in early and later development, the present study examines the factors influencing successful parental involvement in early childhood education as perceived by kindergarten teachers and parents in China. Semi-structured interviews would be conducted with 12 kindergarten teachers and 12 parents with children studying in kindergartens individually. Their responses would then be transcribed and analyzed. It is expected that some factors influencing successful parental involvement would include the attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control of kindergarten teachers and parents, as well as the resources available in schools and the community. Moreover, there would be some similarities and differences in kindergarten teachers’ and parents’ perceived importance of different factors. The findings of the present study can contribute to a deeper understanding of the attitudes and concerns held by different stakeholders regarding parental involvement, thus providing valuable insights into how kindergarten teachers and parents can collaborate to ensure the best educational outcomes for children during the early years. They can also help inform the kinds of training that should be provided to in-service and pre-service teachers to enhance their competence in collaborating with parents. Copyright © 2023 HKERA-APERA.