Abstract

The study investigated behaviour and practices of parents when supporting their children to develop reading at an early grade and how parents cope with the challenges. The study used qualitative approach. Data was generated through interviews with parents and teachers and Focus Group Discussion (FGD) with standard two learners. The results show that there are certain activities that parents do with their children in order to develop reading. The study has also revealed that parents help their children differently, at different times and for different reasons. However, all parents agreed that they face considerable challenges in the process, which include low literacy levels, poverty, lack of reading resources, lack of time and lack of communication by early grade teachers. Furthermore, the study findings revealed that all parents use their own strategies to deal with such challenges. For instance, parents borrow books from schools on arrangement with teachers, ask neighbours and classmates to assist their children and offer of incentives to their children as part of encouragement. In order to promote children's reading at home, the study suggests the need to establish a strong relationship between parents and teachers, that school through PTA should regularly update parents on the progress of their children in school, and use of peers in the community.

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School	: School of Education
Issued Date	: 2016

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