Dads provide a different set of skills to their children
When fathers read to their children those children gain skills that they typically do not gain when moms read to them. Before you stop reading, we are not saying that mom’s reading is not important to the child. What we know is that when dads read to kids, different results come about. In the late sixties, Norma Radin studied the impact of parental reading on children’s literacy outcomes. She found that when parents did not read to children they had much lower scores on standardized tests than children whose parents did read to them. However, to her surprise, the children who were read to by their fathers and mothers should much higher verbal skills than children who had just their mother read to them. When fathers read to their children, the child’s verbal skills can increase by up to fifteen percent, which does not typically happen when just moms read to them.
Children are better behaved
When fathers read to their children those children are better behaved. Studies have shown that when fathers read to their children and share other caregiving responsibilities with mom, their children have better attachment, they have higher self esteem, and show better social competence. The time fathers spend reading to their children does not just translate into literacy skills but the child has better impulse control, shows a greater ability to take initiative, and, if dad spends time with them at an early age, are more empathetic.
Children do better academically
When fathers read to their children those children do better academically. Not only do children show great verbal skills but when fathers read to kids they enjoy school more, they are less likely to repeat a grade, and they have a more positive perception of their academic abilities. By fathers showing the importance of literacy to their children, those children perform better in other academic areas, they are more successful in academic endeavors, and have higher scores on standardized achievement tests.
There are many things that dads should do to help their children be successful adults and all of them are important in the child’s development. However, as folks ask me what is the most important thing that fathers can do to help their children succeed, the best place for fathers to start is with a child in their lap and a book in their hand.