Let's face it, not all Dads are good with a hammer and a nail. But a Dad doesn't need to know his way around a hardware store to be very handy at home. Dads have an important set of parenting tools, and when they use them well, they can help children build important life skills of their own.

Dads work differently...
Some differences are obvious: Dads don't look like Moms. But others may be a bit more subtle: Dads don't always act like Moms, and they may not parent like Moms. For example, Dads may talk to their children differently from Moms, they generally use more physical play, they may encourage more exploration, and they tend to think more analytically. And all of this can be good for growing children.

Tool time
Dads don't need fancy equipment to build a solid foundation for their children. In fact, it's just the opposite. The simplest tools make the biggest difference. Here are some tool tips for Dads:

• Listen. Right from birth, a child communicates. The more you listen, the more she'll tell you-and you will learn what's important to her.
• Play. Play time is not only plain fun. It encourages children to be active and creative.
• Be patient. Children learn from watching. Show your child how to solve problems and face challenges. These are important skills for life.
• Spend time. Time is the most important tool fathers have for building solid relationships. Use it well.

Clearly, fatherhood is a long-term project. But when Dads roll up their sleeves and jump in-spend time ... read stories ... offer encouragement ... lend an ear-they can help children learn to stand steady on their own two feet.

Special thanks to Nina Sazer O’Donnell, James A. Levine, Ph.D., and Kyle Pruett, M.D., for the generous donation of their valuable time and expertise in reviewing this edition of Bits of Understanding.

Civitas thanks Parents as Teachers, an international early childhood parent education and family support program, for their ongoing support. This Civitas tool was adapted for the Born Learning campaign.

© 2007 Civitas