Academic performance is a cornerstone of individual and national development. It defines how well children can meet educational benchmarks and face the challenges of our modern, fast-paced world. A recent study published in PLoS One by Ali, Nayab, et al., titled "Academic performance of children in relation to gender, parenting styles, and socioeconomic status: What attributes are important," dives deep into the factors influencing academic success. This comprehensive study is anchored in Bronfenbrenner's socio-ecological model, emphasizing the importance of interactions at the micro and meso levels—namely parenting styles and family socioeconomic status.
The Power of Parenting and Socioeconomic Status
The study found that authoritative parenting, characterized by high responsiveness and positive demandingness, correlates significantly and positively with children's academic performance. Authoritative parents strike a balance between guidance and autonomy, fostering an environment where children can confidently engage in academic tasks. Conversely, authoritarian and permissive parenting styles are associated with lower academic achievements, with authoritarian parents often resorting to punitive measures and permissive parents lacking in guidance.
Furthermore, the study underscores the profound impact of family socioeconomic status (SES) on academic performance. Children from higher SES backgrounds outperform their peers from lower SES backgrounds, even when subjected to the same parenting styles. High SES often equates to better access to educational resources, guidance, and a supportive environment conducive to learning.
Gender Considerations in Education
In examining the influence of gender, the study revealed that when parenting styles are consistent and non-discriminatory, there is no significant variation in the academic performance of male and female students. This finding challenges gender biases in patriarchal societies and suggests that egalitarian views on education can lead to balanced academic outcomes for children, regardless of gender.
Bridging the Gap with Brain Training
While the research conducted by Ali, Nayab, et al., provides essential insights into academic achievement's sociological aspects, an innovative approach to enhancing learning is through brain training. NeurOptimal® offers a unique method that improves the brain's learning capabilities by using auditory cues to alert the brain to assess and correct its habitual patterns. This brain training method could potentially amplify the positive effects of authoritative parenting and high SES, leading to even greater academic success.
Brain training with NeurOptimal® essentially teaches the brain to be a more effective learner. By noticing its patterns and making real-time corrections, the brain becomes more adaptive and efficient. Integrating brain training into a child's educational program could provide the extra edge needed to maximize their academic potential.
Implications and Recommendations
As academic performance is foundational to personal and societal advancement, it is critical to adopt policies and practices that encourage effective parenting and address socioeconomic disparities. Educational initiatives should include:
1. Parenting Programs: Awareness and training programs should be developed to guide parents towards adopting authoritative parenting styles. Parents should be encouraged to get their children enrolled in enrichment and extra-school remedial or revision programmes so that their kids do not fall behind in their understanding of the material taught in school.
2. Proper Diet: Children should start their day with a low GI breakfast as this has been shown to help them be more focus and improve their cognitive levels up till the mid-morning.
3. Brain Training Integration: Schools and parents should consider integrating brain training programs like NeurOptimal® to enhance learning abilities and complement the advantages of positive parenting and SES.
Conclusion
The study by Ali, Nayab, et al., draws a clear link between authoritative parenting, higher socioeconomic status, and academic performance, with gender playing a less critical role when equity in parenting is maintained. To build on these findings, incorporating brain training can offer a promising avenue for further enhancing children's academic achievements. It is imperative to translate these insights into actionable strategies that can uplift children's educational experiences and outcomes across all socioeconomic strata.
Reference
Ali, Nayab et al. “Academic performance of children in relation to gender, parenting styles, and socioeconomic status: What attributes are important.” PloS one vol. 18,11 e0286823. 15 Nov. 2023, doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0286823
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