What is family socialisation and how does it prepare children for education?

• A. Family socialisation transmits norms, values, and expectations, shaping attitudes toward schooling, discipline, and achievement.
• B. Family socialisation sets family income level.
• C. Family socialisation is only about after-school social events.
• D. Family socialisation is unrelated to schooling.

Answer: (A)

Family socialisation is the process by which families pass on norms, values and expectations to children, shaping how they view school, how they behave in and around it, and how much effort they put into their learning. Through everyday interactions—talking about school, reading together, establishing routines, praising achievement, and getting involved in homework and school events—children learn what schooling is for and how to fit into the school environment. This prepares them for education by building literacy and language skills, developing study habits and discipline, modelling punctuality and respect for teachers, and forming aspirations tied to educational success. It also carries cultural capital—the beliefs and dispositions that help navigate schooling and communicate with educators.

The other options miss the core idea. A family does not set the family income level, and socialisation goes beyond just after-school events; it happens in everyday routines and conversations. And it is clearly related to schooling, not unrelated to it.