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Fathers and education.
Involvement of fathers helps children at school. Research shows that fathers take part less often in school matters. Read why you are important as a father and what you can do to help your child.
Why is involvement of fathers important?
Children benefit from presence and support of both parents. As a father you often bring a different view on learning and school. This gives your child a wider base.
Studies show that children of involved fathers:
- Score higher in language and math
- Have more self-confidence
- Drop out of school less often
- Think more positive 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 grows and involvement is sometimes less natural.
7 tips for fathers to be involved 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 hard.
- Go to parent meetings: Show that you find school important.
- Help with homework: Not only check but understand together.
- Support choices: Think along about the profile choice in the 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 together and go to the museum.
- Help improve education: Join our online parent panel to discuss important topics in education.
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: This is the main barrier for many fathers to come to school.
- Direct communication to fathers: Invite fathers explicitly and treat them the same as mothers in conversations.
- Encourage students to (also) ask their father for advice and help and do school tasks together.
- Watch for cultural differences: Fathers sometimes seem to have high expectations, but they often just want their child to get chances they did not have.
- Organize a focus group with only fathers and ask for their ideas on how they can contribute to the school.
Organizations for fathers
Fortunately, there is more attention for the role of fathers in education. On the website of the Platform Vaderschap you find all organizations and initiatives for fathers inside and outside education.
We also want to highlight the following organizations:
- Trias Pedagogica: provides training, information and tailored help to (expectant) fathers with a migration background. They also do research, create methods and programs for schools and train professionals in education and youth care.
- Expertisecentrum VDRS: helps organizations, governments and employers to better reach and involve fathers based on research, own experience as a father, independently and together with a broad network of partners.
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