Emotional and Motivational Support of Parents to Intermediate Learners

Abstract

This research examined the emotional and motivational support given by parents to intermediate learners (Grades IV–VI) at San Isidro Elementary School in San Isidro, Castilla, Sorsogon. The study explored how parental support influences learners’ confidence, motivation, perseverance, and academic engagement. It specifically identified the types of emotional and motivational support provided by parents, determined its perceived impact on learners’ academic outcomes, explored learners’ insights regarding parental support, and examined the challenges parents face in providing such support.A mixed-methods approach was employed, involving thirty parents and twelve intermediate learners selected through purposive sampling. Data were gathered using a validated researcher-made questionnaire and a focus group discussion. Findings revealed that parental emotional supports are evident in practices that fostered empathy, reassurance, warmth, open communication, and validation of learners’ feelings, highlighting their vital role in nurturing resilience and positive learning experiences. Parental motivational supports were apparent in practices such as verbal encouragement, guiding learners in goal setting, recognizing effort, providing rewards, and modeling perseverance, underscoring their crucial role in fostering persistence and sustained engagement in learning.These forms of support significantly strengthen learners’ perseverance, improve task completion, enhance concentration, promote calmer responses during assessments, clarify understanding of instructions, increases motivation, boost classroom participation, build confidence in handling challenges, and develops the ability to prioritize tasks and manage time. However, the study also found that parents encounter challenges such as limited time, communication barriers, minimal educational background, low responsiveness, and family conflicts, which affect their ability to consistently provide support. Based on the findings, a Parent Education Program is proposed to strengthen parental capacity in providing effective emotional and motivational support.