According to the study, fathers who regularly drew, played and read with their 3-year-olds helped their children perform better at school by the age of 5. Fathers’ involvement when the children were 5 also helped improve scores in the Key Stage Assessments of 7-year-olds. These are standardised tests for pupils in the British education system.
Sharing caregiving responsibilities with the mother
Fathers’ involvement had a positive impact on school performance, regardless of the child’s gender, ethnicity, age during the school year or household income. Therefore, the researchers say it is important to encourage fathers to share caregiving responsibilities with the mother from an early stage.
Making as much time available as possible
They recommend that fathers make as much time as possible for interactive activities with their children. Even ten minutes a day can have educational benefits. In addition, the researchers say it is important for schools and early-years education providers to collect both parents’ contact details as standard whenever possible. They should also develop strategies to involve fathers more.
“In the Netherlands too, we mainly address mothers when it comes to parenting,” says Ellen Donkers of the NJi. “Just think of the terms ‘nit-picking mothers’ and ‘reading mothers’. Fathers do not even seem to be invited to take part. This study once again shows that involving fathers is just as important as involving mothers. Not only for school results. It is also simply enjoyable and beneficial for children’s broad development when fathers and children spend time together, talk and play.”
Read here the University of Leeds’ press release.