Parental education as a possibility for strengthening the family-school relationship in early childhood education

Abstract

The relationship between family and school is essential to children’s holistic development, especially in Early Childhood Education, a stage that requires coordinated action among those responsible for care and education. This article analyzes Parent Education as a means of strengthening this relationship, based on an experience conducted in two Early Childhood Education institutions in Naviraí, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. Employing a qualitative approach, the research draws on descriptive data produced through lectures and questionnaires administered to participants. The study is part of the project School Education and Parent Education: A Necessary Connection, created to bring education professionals and families closer together and to promote reflection on educational practices, child development, emotional bonds, boundary-setting, and parental participation in children’s school life. The analysis is grounded in legal frameworks and studies from the fields of Parent Education, socio-emotional development, and Early Childhood Education. It is based on the understanding that families and schools perform distinct but complementary roles in children’s development. The results indicate that guidance, education, and listening initiatives foster dialogue, the exchange of experiences, and an understanding of shared responsibilities, while also expanding families’ knowledge of children’s needs and respectful educational practices. It is concluded that incorporating Parent Education into the school context can strengthen bonds, prevent conflicts, and increase family participation, contributing to more collaborative relationships. In this way, it promotes shared educational responsibility and the creation of welcoming, consistent environments committed to children’s rights, well-being, and holistic development.