Teachers, school administrators and parent-teacher organization leaders are well positioned to educate families about the importance of father involvement.
SCHOOLS
Presenting The Latest Research
and Most Promising Practices
For Connecting Dads, Children &
Families
Disseminating information in school communities to dispel the myth that dads don’t matter and to promote father engagement is a major aim of The Fatherhood Project. In collaboration with John Badalament, Director of Modern Dads, Dr. Levy has put together a compelling, two-part workshop that connects new research on how father engagement impacts children with actionable, road-tested practices that dads (and moms) can implement right away. Using tried and true methods, we help dads develop the fathering skills they need today by bringing this workshop to schools around the country.
Part One: Research – How Dads Make A Difference
Part One lays the foundation for the workshop by highlighting powerful research findings that emphasize the critical importance of engaged fatherhood for emotional, academic, social and behavioral outcomes for sons and daughters. These findings apply to both single-sex and heterosexual couples, and the presentation applies to both resident and non-resident fathers.
We explain some of the key psychological concepts that make fathers’ emotional engagement so impactful to child development, helping school community leaders and dads themselves become more aware of the ways dads matter to kids. Too often, dads believe in the myth that they are incompetent caregivers or somehow unecessary to raising healthy children. Our presentations are designed to reach out to all parents with evidence that their emotional connections with their children are truly important.
Part Two: Practice – How To Stay Connected With Your Kids As They Change
Part Two builds on the research points by illustrating practical ways the findings can be applied in today’s families. The presentation draws on the diverse stories from John Badalament’s acclaimed book, The Modern Dad’s Dilemma, scenes from his documentary films, and road-tested activities from his pioneering dad-son and dad-daughter workshops.
Our practical guidance brings powerful tools to fathers who already feel close with their children as well as those who have never before been comfortable nurturing an emotional bond. We focus on six practices any parent can implement right away:
1) Creating A Vision
2) Bridging Your Past and Future
3) Becoming A New Provider
4) Finding Balance Through Ritual
5) Knowing and Being Known
6) Doing A Relationship Check-Up
Contact us if you are interested in discussing a presentation.
How Schools Can Engage Fathers
Schools have a unique opportunity to develop and execute programs to help fathers connect with their children, which research shows leads to improved social, emotional, behavioral and academic outcomes. Teachers, school administrators and parent-teacher organization leaders can influence the course of children’s lives.
Take the next step toward involving fathers in the lives of your students. Here are 3 ideas to help fathers become more involved in their children’s school-related lives:
- Encourage Teachers To Involve Dads In Assignments
At all grade levels, teachers can ask questions involving fathers’ personal history. For example, teachers can give math assignments that require a number from their fathers’ lives, past or present. Students can be asked to interview their fathers about a specific time in their lives, maybe the same time that the student finds himself or herself in. Or students can be asked to engage their fathers in a conversation about a specific and common dilemma they are facing, with an emphasis on how their father resolved the same dilemma when they were younger. The students can be asked to write about it.
- Parent-Teacher Organization Talks And Programs For Fathers
Some fathers need help to feel they can make a contribution to their children’s lives. And some fathers need help thinking about ways to interact with their children in a way that helps them grow and develop. Many fathers don’t realize their involvement is important in social, behavioral, emotional and academic outcomes for their children. School-related groups can create a cultural and informational environment that supports father involvement by bringing in speakers and activities that are relevant to fathers, and also by encouraging fathers to join in on a regular basis.
- Bring Dads Into The Classroom
Teachers can create special times in the classroom when fathers are invited to lead small projects using fathers’ skills. Especially during this difficult economic period, some fathers may have time available. Hopefully, children will be proud of their fathers and fathers will feel more involved with their children’s school lives.
