Engaging Dads

Positive engagement of fathers in their children’s learning and development has positive outcomes, so involving fathers and father figures in family learning is a must. A substantial body of research has charted the impact that parents’ participation and non-participation in learning activities can have on their children’s educational achievement. Specifically, for fathers, higher expectations about their children’s educational level, and greater level/frequency of interest and direct involvement in children’s learning, are associated strongly with better educational outcomes for their children, including:

• higher level of attainment

• greater progress and enjoyment in learning

• higher educational expectations

Getting dads involved in this process is not always easy; so we have drawn up 20 Top Tips.

1. Dads want to get involved, but often don’t think that services are meant for them and don’t know how important they are.

2. The antenatal & postnatal periods are key times to engage Dads. If Dads don’t feel they are important at these points it can only make engaging Dads harder in the long term.

3. Ensure all correspondence is addressed to both Mum and DAD! If it is sent to “PARENTS”, this = Mum. So if your letter is for Dad too, tell him!

4. First impressions are everything. If your venue is welcoming and encourages dads to get involved, they will know the service is ‘for them’.

5. Dads are not from another planet and are usually happy to talk. Also Dads are happy to work with women.

6. Specific workers, dedicated to work with Dads, helps to increase engagement however without whole organizational change and support work can be difficult to sustain and develop.

7. Keep promises, and deliver what you offer. You normally only get one chance to disappoint.

8. Always have the next steps in place, if you run a course or group what is the next step?

9. Get mums on side and you will get dads. They will plug your service or not to Dads!

10. Location is not so important; it’s what the location provides that is.

11. Always offer a reason, excuse or incentive to attend, this gives dads something to say to friends or a partner

12. Don’t make incentive too big as experiences shows ‘it’s too good to be true’

13. Leaflets alone don’t work very well. “Word of mouth” or personal contact works better as a group can be explained and problems can be sorted out. A personal invitation from their child is a powerful motivation too. (See example appendix d)

14. Practical barriers are easier for dads to express and for you to overcome, than emotional ones, which may include a fear of the unknown.

15. Branding is important to raise a positive image of your service, dads may not attend anything but it will make them think.

16. Networks and partnerships are crucial to develop a successful and sustainable service.

17. Volunteers and proactive dads are key to service quality and development and can help you reach other dads

18. Multiple points of engagement increases engagement, offers progression routes and variety.

19. Be prepared to work some anti-social hours, as this is sometimes the best time for Dads.

20. Be prepared for setbacks, and have an action plan in place to react to these setbacks.