How to Bring Dads Back to School

Last year, in our Championing Fatherhood Blog, we posted an article on engaging dads in their children’s education. Dads, Schools, Rules, and Tools shares some great tips and resources that can help you help dads be more involved in their children’s education.

As we start a new school year, here are a few questions to consider:

• With dads already marginalized in schools, how can you let them know the value they bring to their children’s education?
• Why is the quality of the mom and dad relationship important for the child’s education?
• Why is there an attack on masculinity?
• What are the five characteristics of good dads?

In addition to reading last year’s blog post, I also encourage you to take a few minutes – 19 to be exact – to listen to a recent podcast on those very questions. 

In early August, National Fatherhood Initiative® (NFI) President, Christopher Brown, was interviewed by SOS Radio Morning Show Host, Scott Herrold. The interview is available as a  podcast where you can hear Chris talk about the significant impact dads make in every aspect of their children's lives. He discusses research about dads’ involvement in their children’s extracurricular activities at school and the different outcomes when they're involved, as opposed to, when they aren't.

SOS Radio is sponsoring a new movement in Las Vegas to bring dads into schools in response to recent school violence and has partnered with Dads in Schools to spearhead the movement. The vision was inspired by 2 programs: Dads on Duty in Louisiana and Watch D.O.G.S. (Dads of Great Students) that has programs across the United States.

If you are working with dads, especially dads of young children, education is an important area that dads need to become more involved. Please share the podcast and other resources with your staff and on your social media networks.

Check out additional education-related resources below and reach out to us at NFI for guidance on how you can help dads get back to school this year!

Resources :

National Fatherhood Initiative^® (NFI)

• Infographics and Father Involvement Data
• Father Specific Programs like 24/7 Dad®, 24/7 Dad® Key Behaviors Workshop, Fathering in 15™
• Resources for Moms like Understanding Dad™, Mom as Gateway™
• Bundled Resources for:
  • Co-Parenting
  • Head Starts
  • Child Development Guides
• A fatherhood webinar series starting in September addressing: Father Bias, Mental Health, and Trauma Care

For more information on school-based fatherhood initiatives and resources, check out:

• National Association for Family, Schools, and Communities
• U.S. Department of Education:
  • Family & Community Engagement
  • Helping Your Child Succeed in School-Helping Your Child Series