?Launchspace Toddler Newsletter - 13

Father-child play and it’s role in child development

When babies are born, their parents or caregivers become their first playmates. Playing with parents is not only fun but also helps babies learn and grow. Moms and dads both play with their little ones. Presence? and interaction between a mother and child are well discussed and known to all, but here we'll focus on how dads' playtime is super important.

Since this article deals specially with dad’s play let us look into the benefits of them. Kindly note these solely state the benefit of father-child play and not a comparison to mother child play!?

Role of the Modern Day Father

In the past, most studies about kids focused on how well moms met their needs. But over the last 20-30 years, researchers have been paying more attention to dads. That's because dads are taking on a bigger care-giving role nowadays.

The term modern day father is used particularly as in contrast to earlier? fathers who have assumed three primary roles: the protector, the provider, and the disciplinarian ,the new fathers have more vibrant and meaningful roles in society. Thanks to changing economic scenarios of the world and social perspectives , these roles are shared by both the parent and father roles are being redefined.?

An interesting study on Father-child interaction

During a study conducted on understanding the impact of paternal interaction on children's cognitive development by the time they reach 2 years of age, the researchers observed father-infant interactions when the infants were 3 months and 24 months old. Subsequently, when the infants reached 2 years of age, the researchers assessed their cognitive abilities. At the 3-month mark, 192 fathers and their babies joined the study.

The results showed that

• When fathers were distant and seemed sad during interactions at 3 months, their children scored lower on a test of thinking ability later on.
• Fathers who were more engaged and attentive during playtime at 24 months had children with higher thinking scores at 24 months.
• During a book-reading session at 24 months, children whose fathers were sensitive, calm, and not controlling scored better on the thinking test.

The interactions had a similar impact on their sons and daughters.

A Few of many benefits of father-child play

Let us explore the role of a healthy father-child play in holistic development of the child. The benefits enlisted here are not the sole product of paternal interaction but of a well balanced parental involvement.

Balanced Parenting

When both parents are actively present during the early years, children benefit from a balanced approach to parenting. Mothers and fathers often provide different styles of care and support, which offer a more diverse and holistic upbringing.

Resilience

?Father presence can contribute to a child's resilience in the face of challenges. A strong father-child relationship can provide a sense of stability and coping mechanisms that benefit a child's emotional well-being.

Confidence and Self-Esteem

A supportive and involved father can boost a child's self-confidence and self-esteem. The sense of being loved, valued, and accepted by both parents is crucial for a child's self-worth.

Attachment and Bonding

?Father presence from infancy fosters attachment and bonding between the child and the father. This emotional connection provides a sense of security and trust, which is fundamental for healthy social and emotional development.

Emotional Support

Fathers provide emotional support and nurturing to their infants and toddlers. Their presence helps create a loving and caring environment where the child feels safe to explore and express their emotions.

Cognitive Stimulation

Fathers engage in play and interactions that stimulate cognitive development. Through activities like reading, playing games, and problem-solving together, fathers can enhance their child's early learning experiences.

Language Development

Fathers contribute to language development by talking and communicating with their child. Conversations, storytelling, and verbal interactions help children acquire language skills and expand their vocabulary.

India and paternity leave law

Paternity leave in India refers to the leave fathers become eligible for, in order to bond with their new family member. The term “father” here refers to the legal parent of the child who’s born or newly adopted.

In India, paternity leave is a relatively new concept.India’s patriarchal society regards childbearing and rearing as the mother’s primary job. Thankfully, times are changing .

The legal framework for paternity leave in India is provided by the Central Civil Services (Leave) Rule 551 (A), 1972, which mandates certain benefits for eligible male employees. Eligible male employees (government employees) are entitled to a leave of 15 days within six months of the birth or adoption of a child.

To be eligible, an employee must have worked for an organization for at least 80 days in the 12 months before the date of the expected delivery or adoption. The rule also provides for associated benefits, such as payment of full wages during the leave period.

It’s important to note that the 15-day leave is only available to central government employees, and there is no formal policy in place for private-sector employees.

This law was primarily enacted to address gender disparities in labor regulations and alleviate the dual burden on mothers. However, given the evolving understanding of a father's significance in a child's comprehensive development, paternity leave should be utilized thoughtfully and made compulsory for new fathers.?

Conclusion

It's important to note that father presence can vary in different family dynamics, and not all families have traditional structures. What matters most is the quality of the relationship and the level of involvement a father has with their child. Overall, a loving and engaged father during the early years contributes significantly to a child's emotional, social, and cognitive development.

Reference

1. https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9067/8/5/389 ?
2. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0273229720300307 ?
3. https://www.continued.com/early-childhood-education/ask-the-experts/what-three-primary-roles-father-23462 ?