Parent Involvement and the Parent-Teacher Relationship in Head Start on Child Outcomes

Previous literature emphasizes the importance of parent involvement in Head Start on positive child outcomes. This project is a review of literature on the predictors and barriers to parent involvement and how a strong parent-teacher relationship has an impact on involvement. Parents who are involved in their child's Head Start program and collaborate with their child's teacher are more likely to use less harsh discipline, reduce conduct problems in their child, and engage in academic activities at home (Webster-Stratton, Reid, & Hammond, 2001). Positive child outcomes as a result are improved academic and behavior skills (Ansari & Gershoff, 2016). Implications of the research are implementing proposed intervention programs to educate parents on how to become more involved at the center and how to improve their parenting practices (Mendez, 2010).