Parent–Child Interaction

Studies of parents and children interacting with one another occur across a range of academic disciplines. A variety of methodologies and data sources are used to search for answers to questions about topics in child development, the design of learning environments, educational outcomes and interventions, and public policy. Oftentimes in these studies, parents and children may not be the intended focus of the research—they merely happen to be the primary actors in studies of particular environments or phenomena. This can require casting a wide net to reap a full understanding of the dynamics between parents and children that are relevant to how learning takes place within families.

This entry examines what is known about parent–child interaction from a variety of research perspectives. It highlights findings from ...