Engaging Dads

Positive engagement of fathers in their children’s learning and development has positive outcomes, so involving fathers and father figures in family learning is a must. A substantial body of research has charted the impact that parents’ participation and non-participation in learning activities can have on their children’s educational achievement. Specifically, for fathers, higher expectations about their children’s educational level, and greater level/frequency of interest and direct involvement in children’s learning, are associated strongly with better educational outcomes for their children, including:

• higher level of attainment

• greater progress and enjoyment in learning

• higher educational expectations

Getting dads involved in this process is not always easy; so we have drawn up 10 Top Tips.

1. Ensure engagement with fathers is the responsibility of the whole staff team and provide them with training in father-inclusive practice

2. Limit your use of the "p" (parent) word – routinely use mother/father (and other carers)

3. Routinely gather fathers' details on your child/family registration forms

4. Set up initial meetings so that you meet BOTH parents

5. Try (sensitively) to identify and include birth fathers not living at home

6. Recognise and support father-figures as well as birth fathers

7. Invite fathers personally to specific activities

8. Repeatedly stress to fathers, mothers and colleagues how fathers' involvement benefits children

9. Assess how men are using, and work in, your service - and build on that

10. Speak to fathers who disengage

These top tips were kindly contributed by The Fatherhood Institute.To find out more about what they do visit www.fatherhoodinstitute.org