Involved Fathers Make Successful Kids – VP of Curriculum Dee McDonald
Parents play a pivotal role in a child’s early development and fathers often become the most influential mentors. When fathers are involved in their child’s education, they help shape who that child is and will become.
With Father’s Day just around the corner, it is our honor to shine a light on the importance of being a wonderful father.
“A good father is one of the most unsung, unpraised, unnoticed and yet one of the most valuable assets in our society.” – Billy Graham
It is important to remember that a father’s contribution to their child’s success is essential every day of the year. An extensive research project from the Father Involvement Research Alliance (FIRA) shows that:
- Toddlers with an involved father figure are better problem solvers and have higher IQ’s by age three than those toddlers who do not have a male influence.
- A father’s academic support was positively related to adolescent boys’ academic motivation to try hard in school, feel their grades were important, and to place a high value on education.
- Children of involved fathers are more likely to have higher levels of economic and educational achievement, career success, occupational competency, better educational outcomes, higher educational expectations, higher educational attainment, and psychological well-being.
Being a positive influence for a child as a father or father figure is a reward in itself. Here are some ideas that can further encourage being an amazing dad.
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Dads should read to their child every day. These reading moments will create a bond between father and child, as well as build literacy skills for the future.
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Dads can talk about what they do outside the home. Many dads have special skills and talents to share that will inspire young learners to dream about what they want to do in the future.
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Dads should feel empowered to advocate for their child. Involvement in their child’s education should begin when the child is very young. Give fathers the opportunity to speak up if a child’s need is not being met or if their child has a special gift or talent.
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Dads should work together with their child to set goals and give their child the support necessary to achieve those goals. Encouragement and positive reinforcement while the child tries to achieve their goals is also vital to success.
See this National Fatherhood Initiative article for other ideas on how to stay actively involved as a father.
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