This InfoSheet is a brief review of information for family services practitioners and fatherhood advocates, which highlights basic recommendations for making a father-friendly Early Childhood Family Education program. (Author abstract modified)
Research demonstrates that children benefit in a variety of ways when they have significant positive involvement with fathers and father figures. Research also demonstrates that fathers accrue a variety of benefits by being positively involved with their kids. This two-way street of mutual benefits for children and fathers is increasingly noted as a reason for strengthening the relationship between dadand child. This fact sheet highlights the broad benefits of father involvement for children and fathers. (Author abstract).
Involvement by fathers, the development of a positive relationship with their children, and the provision of child support have been shown to have a positive effect on children's social, cognitive, and academic achievement, and behavior. Children do better in school when fathers are involved, they get better grades, are less likely to repeat a grade, and are less likely to be expelled. Even for very young children, good fathering contributes to the development of emotional security, curiosity, and math and verbal skills. Fathers also play a unique role in shaping children's gender development…
A fundamental principle of child development underpinning early childhood practice is that children need stable, nurturing relationships with both men and women to develop strong gender identities. With more than 60% of young children in non-parental care during part of their day, it is of serious concern that less than 5% of the early childhood workforce is comprised of males. The low wages typically paid to early childhood teachers is often cited as the reason for this under-representation. However, this explanation only partly explains the phenomena as there are numerous low paying…
