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Fathers and education.
Involvement of fathers helps children at school. Still, research shows that fathers take part less often in school matters. Read why you as a father are important and what you can do to help your child.
Why is involvement of fathers important?
Children benefit from the presence and support of both parents. As a father, you often bring a different view on learning and school. This creates a wider base for your child.
Studies show that children of involved fathers:
- Score higher in language and math
- Have more self-confidence
- Are less likely to drop out at school
- Think more positively about learning
Also, your child feels supported when both parents show interest in school life. This is true not only in primary education but also in secondary education and mbo, where independence increases and involvement is less common.
7 tips to be involved as a father in education
Involvement does not have to be difficult. It is about small but meaningful moments. These are our tips for fathers who want to be more involved in their child’s education:
- Talk about school: Ask how it goes, what was fun and what is difficult.
- Join parent evenings: Show that you find school important.
- Help with homework: Not just checking but understanding together.
- Support choices: Think along about the profile choice in vmbo or havo/vwo or about further education.
- Help at school: Join a trip or take part in the school participation council.
- Do fun things together: Play games, read a book or visit the museum.
- Help improve education: Join our online parent panel to talk about important education topics.
5 tips for schools to involve fathers
Schools can often do more to involve fathers in education. These are our tips for schools:
- Consider working hours: For many fathers, this is the main barrier to visiting school.
- Address communication to fathers: Invite fathers explicitly and treat them the same as mothers in talks.
- Encourage students to ask their father for advice and help and do school tasks together.
- Watch cultural differences: Fathers sometimes seem to have high expectations but often just want their child to have chances they did not have.
- Organize a focus group with only fathers and ask their ideas on how they can contribute to the school.
Organizations for fathers
There is more attention for the role of fathers in education. At the website of the Platform fatherhood you find all organizations and initiatives for fathers inside and outside education.
We would like to highlight the following organizations:
- Trias Pedagogica: offers training, information and help on measure for (expecting) fathers with a migration background. They also do research, create methods and lessons for schools and train professionals in education and youth care.
- Expertise center VDRS: helps organizations, governments and employers to reach and involve fathers better based on research, own experience as a father, alone and together with a large network of partners.
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