The role of the parent needs to incorporate some facets of the teaching job and help make life a lesson for children.

Mums and dads should be able to spend time with children doing activities such as planting seeds, stargazing and walking in woodlands as this knowledge is all vital to a child's education, according to a new leaflet published by the National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT) and the charity Family Action.

Called 'Giving Your Child a Helping Hand' the publication seeks to inspire parents to take an active role in education and get involved with other school activities such as class trips and fundraising.

The NAHT is even encouraging parents to make teachers aware of any changes at home that may impact on their children while at school.

Bernadette Hunter, president of the NAHT, said parents need to realise they are the "best partners" teachers and schools have in their task of helping pupils reach their full potential.

She added: "Just by encouraging children to help with things like cooking, where they weigh and measure ingredients, or by chatting together about the natural world around them as they play outside, means parents can help their children apply the lessons they have learnt to their everyday life.

"Learning shouldn't end at half past three."

Her views were shared by David Holmes, chief executive of Family Action, who also pointed out that a good home life is integral to a successful spell in education.

He explained parents can help simply by ensuring children have a quiet place in the house to do their homework in.

The NAHT and Family Action leaflet will be distributed to 28,500 heads who will be encouraged to share it with parents at their school.

As somebody who specialises in a teaching role, do you think this is a positive idea? Will the leaflet be successful in persuading parents that they have a part to play in their child's education?