The Magic of Togetherness: Why Your Involvement Matters in Your Child’s Preschool Journey

Father’s Day has come and gone, and we are sure all our doting dads are overwhelmed by the gestures of love from their little ones. The cakes, the cards, the tight hugs and the heart-melting smiles are an appreciation of who you are – the new-age dad. You are everything a mother has always been – a nurturer, a friend, an active participant in your child’s everyday life, and even a stay-at-home parent in an increasing number of cases. In a welcome (and much-needed) change, recent years have seen a redefinition of traditional gender roles. The most noteworthy among these is the role of a father. Confined to being a ‘breadwinner’ and ‘disciplinarian’ in a conventional family set-up, fathers have now evolved into  ‘hands-on dads’, deeply involved in every aspect of their child’s life. From cooking for their little ones to cheering for their achievements, we see many dads breaking stereotypes and embracing the opportunity to be hands-on, full-time fathers. And guess what, dads? You are on the right track. Numerous studies have proven that nurturing by fathers has extraordinary outcomes for children. The result is even more significant if a child enjoys their father’s involvement right from an early age because around 80% of a child’s brain development is completed by age five. Early childhood experiences are crucial for a child’s learning and development, and it impacts further education and life choices.

Here are some of the most astonishing effects of a father’s involvement:

1. STRONG VERBAL SKILLS & HIGHER INTELLECTUAL CAPACITY

If you are an active and nurturing dad, chances are your child keeps everyone hooked to their banter. Yes, preschoolers whose fathers play an active role in their upbringing are seen exhibiting more vital verbal skills. We have also seen the more a father is involved in the first year of his child’s life, the better the baby’s cognitive development is. Spending even a short time talking to your baby, playing with them, bathing them and putting them to bed; in short, developing a father-child bond can do wonders for your child’s intellectual capacity and functioning. Such children generally demonstrate more curiosity and enthusiasm to explore their surroundings and are better academic performers. Studies claim that daughters who enjoy a close relationship with their fathers develop stronger maths skills. Boys with hands-on dads score better grades and perform a year above their age level.

2. Moral Intelligence & Positive Personality

Education is not just about textbooks and exams. A robust value system and moral intelligence are equally crucial for a child’s success. And in today’s families, where co-parenting is the norm, children appear to have higher moral intelligence and develop positive personalities as they grow. Children whose fathers are active in parenting become confident adults ready to take on a highly competitive world. And they don’t shy away from taking risks or shouldering responsibilities.

3. Ability To Handle Difficult Situations

A father’s love can also enable children to deal with challenging situations later in life. Earlier, a child’s world revolved just around the mother, but having both parents as nurturers, confidantes, and guides, has made today’s children doubly secure. A study claims that sons whose fathers are patient during tantrums will become less aggressive in their adult lives. It’s also seen that daughters will be more positive with their friends in such situations.

4. Pat On The Back For Proud Papas!

Conclusively, children need both parents for their overall well-being. Fathers who know this and embrace it are helping their children blossom into intelligent, compassionate, confident, and contributing members of society. If you are already one such father, kudos to you! And if you think you can do more for your child, it’s never too late to start.