INFLUENCE OF PARENTAL ROLES AND EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION

This study examined the influence of parental roles and early childhood education on children’s cognitive, social, and emotional development. Early childhood is a critical period for shaping foundational skills, and parental involvement alongside quality early education plays an important role in promoting academic and behavioural outcomes. The study employed a descriptive survey design, involving 103 respondents, including parents, guardians, and early childhood educators. Data were collected using structured questionnaires and analyzed through frequencies, percentages, means, Pearson correlation, regression, ANOVA, and t-tests. The results revealed a strong positive relationship between parental involvement and children’s development (r = 0.62, p = 0.001), with parents actively engaging in reading, emotional support, and problem solving activities contributing significantly to cognitive, social, and emotional growth. Similarly, the quality of early childhood education, including safe, organized, and stimulating classroom environments, play based learning, and structured routines, was found to significantly influence children’s academic performance and behavioural outcomes (F = 6.35, p = 0.003). Regression analysis indicated that active parental engagement significantly predicts children’s learning outcomes (β = 0.59, p = 0.001), while independent t-tests showed that children with highly involved parents scored higher in school readiness (M = 3.61) than those with low parental involvement (M = 3.25, p = 0.001). Challenges in parent teacher collaboration were identified, including communication gaps and time constraints, while strategies such as regular meetings, flexible communication channels, and parental workshops were recommended to strengthen partnerships. In conclusion, both active parental engagement and high quality early childhood education are critical determinants of children’s developmental outcomes. The study recommends that schools implement strategies to involve parents meaningfully in their children’s learning, and policymakers prioritize enhancing the quality of early childhood programs. These interventions will foster improved cognitive, social, and emotional development, school readiness, and overall academic success in early childhood.