In life, individuals establish different relationships with people in their environment, such as at work, school, with friends, and most importantly, with family. The latter is especially important for development and adaptation (Cerón & Merchán, 2017). The family is the first place where children learn how to relate to others, so caregivers have the responsibility to educate, shape, and guide their children (Vega, 2020). However, sometimes caregivers follow the same parenting patterns they received or do the opposite of what they experienced, which is not always the best approach. Therefore, according to Vega (2020), it is important for caregivers to pay attention to their parenting style, as this can have negative consequences for their children in various domains.
The Role of the Family in Academic Performance
Academic performance is the level of learning achieved by a student, determined by their ability to acquire knowledge from the curriculum established by the institution, as well as the skills, abilities, and interests developed in the educational context (Cerón, Merchán & Cortes, 2018). This performance becomes a key indicator to evaluate academic success or failure, usually measured through grades obtained. However, according to Cerón, Merchán & Cortes (2018), academic performance does not depend solely on the student but is influenced by various social, institutional, and family factors.
In particular, the family plays a fundamental role in the development of skills that influence academic performance (Cerón, Merchán & Cortes, 2018). The involvement and support of caregivers in the educational process, their expectations for their children, long working hours, and the establishment of behavioral norms are some of the family characteristics that affect the outcomes. Therefore, in accordance with Cerón, Merchán & Cortes (2018), it is important to study these family characteristics to better understand academic performance and its relationship with parenting styles.
The Power of Attachment
Attachment is a special bond established between a person and their primary caregiver, usually the mother (Cerón, Merchán & Cortes, 2018). This bond serves a biological function by providing care and protection to the individual, such as in the case of breastfeeding and attention during the early years of life. According to Cerón, Merchán & Cortes (2018), the type of attachment developed in infancy influences exploration and interaction with others in later stages, such as adolescence and adulthood.
There are different types of attachment, and one of the most studied is secure attachment (Cerón, Merchán & Cortes, 2018). Children with secure attachment feel comfortable exploring their environment and show initiative in interacting with unfamiliar people, displaying calmness when reunited with their attachment figure. On the other hand, there is insecure attachment, which is subdivided into two categories: anxious attachment and avoidant attachment. Children with anxious attachment tend to display inappropriate behaviors, such as crying and fear, and have difficulty controlling their emotions and facing stressful situations. Finally, according to Cerón, Merchán & Cortes (2018), children with avoidant attachment often avoid emotional contact and closeness with their attachment figure.
Children with secure attachment tend to be more intelligent and achieve better academic results than those with anxious or insecure attachment (Fuentealba & Letzkus, 2014). This is because caregivers with secure attachment foster an environment of trust, emotional support, and cognitive stimulation, which has an impact on the child's personality and perception of their capabilities. Furthermore, according to Fuentealba & Letzkus (2014), individuals with secure attachment have greater self-knowledge and knowledge of others, which is fundamental for social interaction.
Impact of Parenting Styles on Academic Performance
There are four parental educational styles that describe how caregivers regulate their children's behavior (Cerón, Merchán & Cortes, 2018). The democratic style is based on valuing the individuality of the children, establishing rules and norms at home with their participation in decision-making (Vega, 2020). The authoritarian style is characterized by imposition, severity in punishments, and lack of dialogue. The permissive style allows children to act without restrictions, satisfying their desires, which can result in aggressive behavior when their demands are not met (Vega, 2020). Finally, according to Cerón, Merchán & Cortes (2018), the indifferent style is characterized by a lack of attention to the emotional needs of the children and the absence of rules and boundaries.
It is important to highlight that communication and attachment play a fundamental role in the relationship between parenting styles and children's academic performance (Vega, 2020). The democratic style, by fostering assertive communication and emotional support, is associated with adaptive academic achievement strategies and high self-esteem in children. In contrast, families with authoritarian and permissive styles exhibit less adaptive skills and lower self-esteem in children. Furthermore, according to Vega (2020), the permissive style has been associated with aggressive behaviors and a lack of compliance with school and family activities, which can negatively impact academic performance.
Communication and Academic Performance
Communication plays a fundamental role in family and social relationships as it facilitates interaction between individuals, even when ideas and opinions differ (Zambrano, Campoverde & Idrobo, 2019). According to Zambrano, Campoverde & Idrobo (2019), in the caregiver-child relationship, communication plays a crucial role in fostering trust and respect through dialogue, providing a space where both caregivers and children can freely express their opinions.
Communication and academic performance are closely related, as a lack of good communication hinders concentration and the achievement of favorable performance (Zambrano, Campoverde & Idrobo, 2019). The lack of communication between caregivers and children directly affects academic performance because students lack guidance and supervision in their studies, leading to poor performance. Therefore, according to Zambrano, Campoverde & Idrobo (2019), the lack of communication is the main factor that negatively affects students, resulting in low academic performance, failing subjects, and even school dropout.
In addition to communication, caregivers' attitude towards education influences their children's learning process (Zambrano, Campoverde & Idrobo, 2019). When caregivers show genuine interest in their children's academic progress, it motivates and stimulates their school performance. On the other hand, according to Zambrano, Campoverde & Idrobo (2019), lack of support, disinterest, or a lack of communication regarding the importance of education can lead to a decrease in motivation and low academic performance.
Strategies to Promote Healthy Communication and Secure Attachment
Healthy communication is essential in the family to foster secure attachment in children. Attachment is the closest relationship formed between parents or caregivers and the child from birth, and it is crucial for the child's psychological development and the formation of their personality (Alvarez, 2019). In this sense, parents can employ various strategies in their daily lives to promote healthy communication and secure attachment in children.
Children need to feel loved no matter what they do or say. Providing unconditional love gives them the emotional security they need to explore the world and develop in a healthy manner. As stated by Rojas (2023), secure attachment is based on the security provided by parents, which has a significant impact on children's ability to relate to others in a healthy way in the future. By experiencing this secure attachment, children find a solid foundation that allows them to build strong and lasting relationships, as well as develop positive self-esteem and self-confidence that accompany them throughout their lives. Unconditional love provided by parents is an invaluable gift that enables children to face life's challenges with courage and resilience.
Reinforcement is essential for the development of any individual, but it becomes even more relevant in the case of young children who are taking their first steps in life. In this crucial stage, recognition, consideration, and rewards play a fundamental role in making the child feel valued and loved (Alvarez, 2019). Parents can use positive reinforcement to promote secure attachment in children. By implementing techniques such as sincere praise and recognition of achievements, parents can strengthen their children's self-esteem and foster a sense of self-confidence. In this way, an affectionate and stimulating environment is created, contributing to healthy emotional and social development in children.
Parents play a crucial role in teaching their children to recognize and express their emotions in a healthy manner. According to Rojas (2023), teaching emotional intelligence becomes a powerful tool to promote the development of secure attachment in children. By learning to understand and regulate their emotions, children acquire vital skills for their emotional and social well-being. Emotional regulation is crucial for children to learn how to manage stress and face life's challenges in a healthy way. By learning to identify and express their emotions appropriately, children gain greater capacity to regulate their own emotional state, allowing them to handle difficult situations with resilience and adaptability.
Effective communication is essential for fostering secure attachment in children. Parents can use effective communication to express their feelings and emotions clearly and directly, as well as to listen to and understand their children's emotional needs (Alvarez, 2019). Through effective communication, parents can establish clear and consistent boundaries. As Rojas (2023) points out, these boundaries provide children with the necessary structure for healthy development, fostering their security and well-being.
Play and fun are important for fostering secure attachment in children. Beyond mere entertainment, play and fun become powerful tools for establishing a strong emotional connection between parents and children, as well as stimulating the creativity and imagination of the little ones (Alvarez, 2019). By engaging in playful activities, parents not only strengthen emotional bonds but also provide a space of trust in which children feel safe to explore, experience, and express themselves freely. Play and fun thus become a pathway to build a solid and lasting relationship between parents and children, based on love, mutual respect, and shared enjoyment of meaningful moments.
References
Alvarez, M. J. (2019, September). La Importancia del Apego en el Desarrollo Infantil. Familia Y Salud. Retrieved June 7, 2023, from https://www.familiaysalud.es/vivimos-sanos/salud-emocional/en-el-lactante-y-nino-pequeno/la-importancia-del-apego-en-el
Cerón, A., & Merchán, M. (2017). Tipo de Apego y Prácticas de Crianza Como Factores Asociados al Rendimiento Académico en Adolescentes de una I.E.M. de Facatativá. Universidad De Cundinamarca. Retrieved June 6, 2023, from https://repositorio.ucundinamarca.edu.co/bitstream/handle/20.500.12558/562/Tipo%20de%20Apego%20y%20prácticas%20de%20crianza%20como%20factores%20asociados%20al%20rendimiento%20académico%20en%20adolesce.pdf?sequence=2&isAllowed=y
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López, N. (2020). Familia, normas y pautas de Crianza en niños de la institución Educativa Mario Morales Delgado Fe y Alegría de Santander. Universidad Autónoma De Bucaramanga. Retrieved June 6, 2023, from https://repository.unab.edu.co/bitstream/handle/20.500.12749/12064/2020_Tesis_Natalia_Andrea_Lopez.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y
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