Ways to Encourage Father Involvement for Children’s Academic Success

As children head back to school, the excitement of new beginnings comes with opportunities for growth, learning, and achievement. Fathers play a critical role in setting their children up for success in the classroom. Research shows that children with involved fathers achieve higher grades, develop stronger literacy skills, and feel more confident and motivated about their education. Father involvement is a powerful force that strengthens academic outcomes and helps create resilient, ambitious students.

Here are three ways in which involved fathers contribute to their children’s academic success, along with specific ways you can encourage this involvement.

Higher Grades and Academic Performance

Children with highly involved fathers are about twice as likely to receive mainly A’s compared to those with less-involved fathers—31% versus 17%. This involvement includes attending school events, communicating with teachers, and helping with homework, which directly boosts children's confidence and school engagement.

Improved Literacy Through Shared Reading

Fathers who read regularly with their children foster better reading comprehension, language skills, and higher academic motivation. Studies find that children benefit from richer vocabulary and improved literacy when fathers make reading a daily or weekly habit.

Better School Engagement and Behavior

When fathers participate in school-related activities—such as parent-teacher conferences, volunteering, or showing interest in schoolwork—students are less likely to repeat a grade, show better classroom behavior, and are more likely to stay engaged with their education overall.

What can you do to facilitate these outcomes?

Quite a lot! Start by sharing the facts with fathers about how much their involvement matters in general and to their children’s academic success specifically. Follow that with guidance on how they can be most helpful based on whether their children are in school. For fathers whose children aren’t in school yet:

• Encourage them to read to their children, daily if possible.
• Promote the use of simple board games or puzzles.
• Encourage them to tell stories and recite nursery rhymes.

For fathers with school-aged children:

• Encourage them to join school events and stay in regular contact with teachers.
• Recognize and celebrate their efforts in supporting their children's school experience, both publicly and in group settings.
• Help them see the importance of establishing a homework routine with their children.
• Encourage them to ask open-ended questions to discuss their children’s day with them.

Encouraging fathers in these ways can make a measurable difference for their children.

What challenges do you see fathers facing when it comes to supporting their children’s academic success?

How can you support fathers’ involvement in their children’s education throughout the school year?

 What types of resources or support networks could you implement to help fathers feel more supported? Consider using NFI’s resources, which include 10 tips to help your child in school, and 10 tips to help your child do well in school, helping you to connect and engage fathers from all walks of life.