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We all want our kids to do well at school, but it's little known just how much influence dads can have on their children’s education, from their first glimpse of a book right through to sitting their GCSEs. Dan Roberts explains why engaging with your kids’ education is so important – and what you can do to help them thrive.
There’s no doubt that dads play a hugely important role in their children’s lives. Just how much we matter is supported by a growing body of research that shows that being a good enough dad (not perfect, but always involved and doing your best) helps your kids achieve better relationships with their friends; fewer behaviour problems; lower criminality and substance abuse; and supports higher self-esteem and more satisfaction with their life.
| The best thing you can do |
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 The single most important thing you can do is to have a keen interest in your son or daughter’s education, from when they are very young right up to GCSE and possibly A-level and university. |
But the area we’re going to focus on here is the impact dads can have on their children’s education. Again, research has consistently shown that dads who take an interest in and are supportive of their kids’ education – from the start and throughout their schooling – have a profound effect on how happy and successful kids are at school.
Do dads really make that much difference?
Absolutely. Both boys and girls benefit enormously from their father’s involvement. And, luckily for busy dads, what matters most is not how much time fathers spend with their kids, but the quality of what they do when they’re together.
Studies have shown that the following things make a big difference
- high levels of interest by a father in his child’s education
- high expectations for their achievement
- a father’s direct involvement in their learning and with the school
If you are able to contribute in this way, your child could enjoy:
- better exam, test and class results
- greater progress at school
- a better attitude to and enjoyment of school
- reduced risk of suspension or expulsion
- better qualifications
For example, one study found that a dad’s interest in his child’s education is more important than family background, poverty or the child’s personality in determining the qualifications they will have in adult life.
I’m convinced – what can I do?
The single most important thing you can do is to have a keen interest in your son or daughter’s education, from when they are very young right up to GCSE and possibly A-level and university.
The importance of starting young has been proven by studies which showed the frequency of fathers’ reading to one to two year-olds is linked with their greater interest in books later. You can find out all about helping them learn to love books and reading before they go to school here.
Having started when they’re very young, it’s important to maintain your interest throughout primary and secondary school. Another study found that there’s a significant relationship between how much fathers engage with their kids’ education at six and how well they do in school aged seven.
And fathers’ involvement with their kids at ages seven and 11 has been shown to improve their performance in exams aged 16. So, find out more about supporting your child’s education:
Other ways you can help include choosing their school, helping them with homework and getting the most out of parent-teacher meetings.
But, like every other aspect of your child’s development, the best thing you can do for them is to be interested, supportive and involved in their education from the word go.
That way you’ll ensure they have the best possible start in life and, in today’s increasingly competitive, well-educated world, will thrive at school and leave it with the best qualifications they can.
Author
Dan Roberts is a feature-writer and columnist with over ten years’ experience of working for The Guardian, The Observer, The Independent, Daily Express and Mail on Sunday, as well as numerous national magazines. His areas of expertise include health, wellbeing, relationships, psychology and parenting. Dan also writes two monthly columns, including Diary of a Single Dad, a humorous but affectionate account of raising his ten-year-old son, Ben. The best of Dan’s work can be found on his website at www.dan-roberts.net
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