This month we start a new theme which focuses on your role as a dad, and why you’re so important to your children.

As you may know, this week is education week. So, it’s only fitting we highlight the influential role you have in your child’s learning journey.

Right from birth, through to adulthood, you shape your child’s growth and development. Whether it’s playing and teaching them when they are babies and toddlers, to supporting their education at primary and high school, and encouraging them to pursue their dreams and aspirations as teenagers through to adulthood.

Fathers have not only been shown to have a significant impact on academic achievement, but children’s attitude towards learning and school is also very strongly influenced by their father. So, if you model and encourage a love of learning you will be setting your child up for success throughout their lives.

It’s important to note that the evidence does not show fathers’ influence as superior to that of mothers, but as a separate, important factor in children’s successful transition though infancy to adulthood. A fathers’ influence on children’s cognitive development, social skills, mental health, literacy and maths achievement is found to be different to that of mothers.

Top Tips

• Support your child with his/her homework. Discuss what they have to do and how they are going to do it.
• Don’t put pressure on your child – encourage them to be as good as they can be and help them plan how to improve. 
• Give your children freedom to make mistakes.
• If your child is having trouble with homework and it is causing stress or arguments, put it aside, take some time away from it and try again later. If there are still problems, contact the teacher to discuss solutions.
• Tell your children that making mistakes is part of learning. We don’t always get things right the first time round and that is okay when we try to learn from our mistakes.
• Read with your child from an early age.
• Attend school events and parent teacher nights where possible.
• Encourage your child to see the positives of school – the importance of education and learning, making friends and socialising, learning new skills and taking part in activities.

Have you enjoyed this podcast? As we delve into the complexities of fatherhood, our content serves as a reliable guide, offering insightful tips and expert guidance. Discover more general parenting advice on our blog.