Qualitative Study on Repositioning Parental Digital Mediation for an Improved Early Childhood Learning Outcomes among Public Primary Schools in Oyo State, Nigeria

Abstract

This paper examined parental digital mediation as a critical determinant of early childhood learning outcomes in selected public primary schools in Oyo State, Nigeria. Specifically, the study investigated the influence of parental digital mediation on early childhood learning outcomes, identified challenges affecting effective parental digital mediation and home-school collaboration, and proposed strategic measures for repositioning parental digital mediation as a sustainable framework for improving foundational learning outcomes among pupils. The study adopted a descriptive review approach and relied on relevant literature on early childhood education, parental digital mediation, and foundational learning outcomes. Empirical studies by educational researchers and stakeholders were also reviewed to establish the relationship between parental digital mediation and children's academic, emotional, and behavioural development. Findings revealed that the increasing integration of digital technologies into children's learning environments has transformed the role of parents from passive participants to active educational mediators responsible for regulating, guiding, and interpreting children's digital experiences. Effective parental digital mediation was found to enhance literacy development, numeracy skills, communication competence, and responsible technology use among children. However, challenges such as low parental digital literacy, poor home-school communication, poverty, and inadequate technological infrastructure hinder effective parental engagement. The paper concludes that parental digital mediation is an essential but underutilised factor in improving early childhood learning outcomes. It therefore recommends that government and educational stakeholders should organise regular digital literacy training programmes for parents, while schools should adopt digital communication platforms that encourage continuous parental involvement in children's learning and school improvement initiatives.