There is a large body of research which emphasises the huge impact that parental engagement and involvement have on a child’s experience of school.[1]

Parental attitudes to failure (web), related to their own mindsets, can motivate or demotivate their child.

Parents can also influence their children’s beliefs about academic subjects and ability.  For example, one study showed that mothers’ negative attitudes (web) towards maths caused a sharp decline in their daughters’ achievement in numeracy.

[1] Desforges, C & Abouchar, A (2003) The impact of parent involvement, parent support and family education on pupil achievements and adjustment: A literature Review (RR 433) London: UK Department for Education and Science

Goodall, J & Vorhaus, J (2011) Review of best practice in parental engagement (Research Report DFE–RR156) London: UK Department for Education

Harris, A & Goodall, J (2007) Engaging parents in raising achievement: Do parents know they matter? London: UK Department for Children, Schools and Families

Hattie, J (2009) Visible learning: A synthesis of over 800 meta-analyses relating to achievement London: Routledge