The Role of Parental Engagement in Enhancing Social-Emotional School Readiness of Early Childhood Learners in Public Schools

Abstract

This study examined the role of parental engagement in enhancing the social-emotional school readiness of early childhood learners in a public school in Cebu. A descriptive-correlational research design was employed, with 400 parent respondents selected using a purposive sampling technique during the school year 2025-2026. Data were gathered through validated questionnaires on parental engagement and social-emotional school readiness and analyzed using weighted means, standard deviations, and Pearson r correlation. Findings revealed that parents demonstrated very high engagement across all dimensions, while learners were perceived as extremely ready in all social-emotional domains. Results further indicated a significant positive relationship between parental engagement and social-emotional readiness, affirming that parental involvement contributes to children’s preparedness for formal schooling. Thus, parental engagement is a critical factor in fostering emotional and social competencies essential for school success. It recommends strengthening family-school partnerships through structured programs, parent education initiatives, and home-based learning strategies to sustain and enhance readiness outcomes.