A leisurely scroll through a popular social media site made me pause at an amazing video where an infant, hardly 8 or 9 months, was giggling to her heart’s content as she stood firm on the palms of her dad above his head level, swinging and enjoying the bird’s eye view of the room. I could not stop myself from watching the video repeatedly. I gazed in absolute amazement at the confidence with which the baby was holding herself, a direct reflection of the trust she had in her dad.
While a mother is the first teacher for a child and family the first school, it is a father who plays a defining role in the development and growth of the child. While a mother is always considered the primary caregiver, a father plays an equally important and pivotal role in the wellbeing of the child.
Traditionally, fathers have been considered as providers of financial needs of the family. As more women are now joining the workforce or becoming entrepreneurs, family dynamics are changing too. Now, fathers are seen playing a more active role in their children’s upbringing. For a child’s holistic wellbeing, a combination of the mother’s nurturing, protecting, caring hand as well as the father’s real world experience and rational perspective works wonders.
Father’s day that is held on the 3rd Sunday of June, is a special day to honour one’s father as well as fatherhood and paternal bonds. The influence of fathers in our society is supreme. Fathers may not be as verbose, but their role is extremely crucial in shaping a child’s mindset, behaviour and personality. The power of a father’s presence in anyone’s life is huge and here we take a closer look at the role and importance of fathers in a child’s wellbeing.
Better cognitive and physical development
There are several studies that reinforce the fact that fathers play an instrumental role in their children’s lives – they indulge in stimulating and playful activities which in turn establishes an independent streak since childhood. While a mother’s gentle touch and tender loving (like when they put her bundle of joy to sleep) is heart warming, a father engaging the child in rigorous physical activities like exercising, fast running or even undertaking adventurous activities helps build life long healthy habits in them. A child’s reservoir of energy can be appropriately tapped by an involved father. This not only enhances bonding but also stimulates their physical development.
A leisurely scroll through a popular social media site made me pause at an amazing video where an infant, hardly 8 or 9 months, was giggling to her heart’s content as she stood firm on the palms of her dad above his head level, swinging and enjoying the bird’s eye view of the room. I could not stop myself from watching the video repeatedly. I gazed in absolute amazement at the confidence with which the baby was holding herself, a direct reflection of the trust she had in her dad.
While a mother is the first teacher for a child and family the first school, it is a father who plays a defining role in the development and growth of the child. While a mother is always considered the primary caregiver, a father plays an equally important and pivotal role in the wellbeing of the child.
Traditionally, fathers have been considered as providers of financial needs of the family. As more women are now joining the workforce or becoming entrepreneurs, family dynamics are changing too. Now, fathers are seen playing a more active role in their children’s upbringing. For a child’s holistic wellbeing, a combination of the mother’s nurturing, protecting, caring hand as well as the father’s real world experience and rational perspective works wonders.
Father’s day that is held on the 3rd Sunday of June, is a special day to honour one’s father as well as fatherhood and paternal bonds. The influence of fathers in our society is supreme. Fathers may not be as verbose, but their role is extremely crucial in shaping a child’s mindset, behaviour and personality. The power of a father’s presence in anyone’s life is huge and here we take a closer look at the role and importance of fathers in a child’s wellbeing.
Better cognitive and physical development
There are several studies that reinforce the fact that fathers play an instrumental role in their children’s lives – they indulge in stimulating and playful activities which in turn establishes an independent streak since childhood. While a mother’s gentle touch and tender loving (like when they put her bundle of joy to sleep) is heart warming, a father engaging the child in rigorous physical activities like exercising, fast running or even undertaking adventurous activities helps build life long healthy habits in them. A child’s reservoir of energy can be appropriately tapped by an involved father. This not only enhances bonding but also stimulates their physical development.
In 2008, research by medical expert Dr Jacinta Bronte-Tinkew found that early, positive father-child interactions help the child meet cognitive milestones that include thinking, reasoning, remembering and imagining.
Another study, done by the Pennsylvania Child Welfare Resource Centre, found that those children whose fathers are more involved, playful and participative have higher IQs and better language skills.
An interesting study further reveals that even school, which is one of the most important places for a child apart from home, can be negotiated easily by those children who have involved fathers. Such children show higher levels of academic readiness and are more patient in handling the stressors of schooling like mounting studies, peer pressure and competitiveness.
Higher psychological and emotional wellbeing
For a child to have an all round development, emotional health is as important as physical health. A participative father plays an important role in a child’s emotional and psychological wellbeing. A child who receives as much affection from her father as mother is more secure. Such kids freely explore their environment, armed with the reassurance that the parents will take care of them in case of any danger.
A study by Rosenberg and Wilcox in 2006 found that fathers may help in promoting a child’s independence, instilling confidence in them and also providing a positive outlook towards the outside world.
Further, interactions with dads help children in regulating their emotions as fathers tend to bring in a matter-of-fact approach, preparing children to deal with situations with clarity of mind and a rational perspective.
Healthier future relationships
Children who grow up with involved fathers are likely to have better social connections with their peers and a great friend circle too. A child looks up to both his or her parents – they observe how the parents treat the opposite sex, thus laying the foundation of their own behaviour and relationships.
Its often seen that sons look up to their fathers for approval and validation. For daughters, their fathers help meet their need for being valued through affection and unconditional love.
A very significant job falls upon fathers. When they treat the mothers of their children with respect and amicably deal with conflict, their sons absorb the behaviour and emulate the same. Daughters who have fathers that are respectful towards women, also tend to choose healthy and equal relationships.
Dads in their own subtle and silent ways, bring tremendous happiness, balance and value in raising their children. The bond that a father and a child share is unique and paves way for healthy growth in every sphere, be it education, career or relationships.
Father’s day is only one of many days to honour and love our dads while they work hard in helping us blossom to our best. As George Herbert, an English poet and orator, once said, “One father is more than a hundred schoolmasters.” Well, he could not have put it more aptly.
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