The DadTalk blog features insights from dads and Responsible Fatherhood practitioners from around the country. Its goal is to start conversations about important issues surrounding fatherhood and programs for fathers today.
Fatherhood can be challenging at every phase of a child’s development, especially when that child heads off to college. The challenges that come with guiding the development of a college-bound child require a combination of patience, commitment…
Empathy is at the heart of what it means to be human.
Harvard University’s Making Caring Common project provides a clear understanding of empathy. Understanding the importance of empathy is key in preventing bullying and for developing healthy and positive relationships. Building skills to support empathetic behavior is incredibly important in helping children become successful adults.
Empathy is not only the ability to understand another perspective but also to…
In December, families often take time to come together and celebrate the holidays. Whether you are taking part in traditions that have been in your family for generations or creating new ones with your own kids, the holiday season is a perfect time to reinforce the values of charity and generosity. It’s easy for kids to become wrapped up in getting presents, but during the holidays, you can show them that spending time giving back to others can be just as fun and much more rewarding!
Depending on the age of your kids, you may want to talk to them about what it means to give back to…
Ed note: This post originally appeared in the ACF Family Room Blog. View the original post here.
It is time to rethink monitoring approaches across early care and education programs.
Last month, the final Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) regulations were published in the Federal Register. Based on the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG)…
“Play is often talked about as if it were a relief from serious learning. But for children, play is serious learning. Play is really the work of childhood.” --Mr. Rogers
Children often pretend play about occupations that they find interesting. Police officers, veterinarians, princesses, firemen, and soldiers can all be found playing together in any nursery or playground. Pretend play is extremely important in the development of children.
From Bright…
Fathers can play an important role in promoting early learning and literacy. Unfortunately, as some colleagues and I discussed in a recent NRFC webinar, not all dads realize this or know how to go about it. Fatherhood programs can help fathers understand the benefits of early literacy skills for their children, demonstrate ways to make reading fun, and show how engaging in literacy-related activities together can cement bonds between fathers and their children.
Here…
On Valentine’s Day and everyday dads have opportunities to teach their children about love when they:
Model love Modeling love is a way of showing your children how to love, how to give love and how to receive love. Fathers can reveal the power of love through demonstration and participation. Love is modeled in ways that your child will be able to appreciate when you exhibit behaviors that clearly show your children what it means to give and receive love. Whether it is showing how much he loves his children, his children’s mother or other family members or friend, modeling love…
Ed. Note: This post originally appeared on the ACF Family Room Blog. Read the original post here.
Approximately 60 percent of children 5 years of age and under regularly participate in non-parental childcare arrangements in early care and education settings. Research indicates that the relationship between the early child care provider/teacher and the parent can contribute to a child’s school readiness as well as improve parent-child relationships…
Fathers of infants and young children have a lot going on. Every day is filled with joy and new challenges. Sometimes the mere act of making sure your child survives from minute to minute can seem overwhelming. Just surviving the adventure of getting to the grocery store can feel like a win! Did you know that another win can be reading to your child?
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Ed. Note: This post originally appeared on the ACF Family Room Blog.
Gone are the days when fathers were stuck in prescribed gender roles and only interacted with their children for disciplinary or financial matters. Today, fathers contribute to their children's overall development and well-being in many ways. They shop and play with children. They shuffle children to sports practices and doctor's appointments. They prepare food, change diapers, read books, and stay at home with their children. In today's families, there are single fathers, gay fathers, married fathers,…