Dad Smarts for Head Starts

Back To School Basics

If a child goes through his/her entire school experience and without any male involvement or example, what is the message? What is it telling that child about men and learning?

Head Start classrooms offer the best chance to engage dads in their child's education. Your classroom is one of the first opportunities for dads to understand that learning can be fun. Here are a few basics to help you get dads in the door.

Ask. Many times, dads just need to be asked directly to get involved. Make it a point to schedule a dads-only activity day or to print up simple, yet direct, flyers asking dads for their involvement.
Look Around. Take a quick glance around your classroom. Are there any posters or pictures featuring men? Do any of your brochures or parenting resources include dads? Is your staff friendly to dads? Once you've looked around, pick one or two aspects that you feel are important and make simple changes, like putting up a poster featuring a dad or mentioning "father-friendliness" at your next staff meeting.
Recruit. Sometimes, all it takes is another guy around your Head Start to get other dads to come in. Start small; this year, make it a priority to get one male volunteer you can trust. Having a trusted dad/male volunteer will make it easier to talk to dads, and will give the kids that male example they all need.

Engaging dads doesn't have to be difficult. All it takes is a few Dad Smarts and some planning. For more ideas, take our free Father-Friendly Check-Up. This tool will provide you with a comprehensive customized overview of your head start and targeted ideas for engaging dads.

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Welcome to Dad Smarts!

This page is designed specifically for Head Starts. We've come up with some fun, simple ideas to help you get dads involved! From fun, father-child activities to examples from Head Starts across the country, we've got everything you need to increase your Dad Smarts!

Not sure where to start? Take our Father-Friendly Check-up for Head Starts! This Check-up will help you analyze your programs, and our staff will follow-up with you with customized solutions for your head start. Plus, you'll get a FREE Daddy Pack, just for taking the Check-up!

And, we want to hear from you! E-mail us and let us know what you'd like to see on Dad Smarts!