Mountain States Early Head Start
Infant to Toddler Program of the Mountain States Group, Inc.

DADS

Dads are important! Early Head Start welcomes all men involved in the lives of EHS children to our activities! We encourage fathers to participate in home visits and play groups, to help in the classroom or to serve on a committee or Policy Council.

The most important thing is spending time with your child—talking, reading, playing, helping with meal or bath time, and doing things together around the house. Investing your timewhile your child is smallwill pay dividends for you and your child forever—not to mention it is just plain fun!

• They go to school with qualities needed for learning! They have more self control, fewer behavior problems, are willing to try new things and are more patient.
   
• They have better intellectual, motor and verbal development! They are stronger in math and reading and able to express themselves in conversation.
   
• They are more secure, confident and curious! They are eager to learn, problem solve and explore.
• They make wise life choices! They are more likely to go to college, less likely to become a teen parent, less likely to be incarcerated and less likely to show signs of depression.
   
• They are compassionate and empathetic! They care about others and have good social skills.
   

Children benefit by having both mothers and fathers involved with them on a daily basis as they grow from babies to adults!

Fathers Benefit Too!

Research is demonstrating that fathers receive benefits from being involved with their children too in ways we don't often think about. Involved fathers are more likely to advance in their occupations, be happier, work harder toward a successful marriage and have better physical and emotional health.

• Show affection and support for your child.
   
• Increase the amount and quality of time spent with your child.
   
• Work to build a strong relationship and good communication with your child's mother, whether or not you live in the same household. Share household, financial and child rearing responsibilities.
   
• Read and play together, set age appropriate goals and expectations for your child, be consistent and provide emotional security and help your child learn to make healthy lifestyle choices.
   
• Learn more about child development and parenting skills.
   
• Understand and celebrate the unique and powerful role he plays in the lives of his children!