Check out the Super Dads Super Kids game.
It is loaded with fun activities for dads with kids of any age to do together. Register with us to be able to access this cool resource.
The Canadian Father Involvement Initiative can support programs and agencies working with dads. Our focus is on promoting father-friendly practice across the board. Check out the "training" page for more details.
Hey Dad,
Are you looking for some fathering resources and ideas? FII-ON has some booklets that you might be interested in.
Read our blog!
Car Seat Safety
We are starting off the new year thinking about safety. We welcome guest author, Mohammad Bhorat, as he shares some great tips on safely installing a car seat. (read more)
Fathers in Blended Families Take It "One Step at a Time"
Any father might wonder at times about what role he should play in his family. Fathers in blended families probably have even more questions because they have more than one family to influence. Here are some thoughts for step dads . . . (read more)
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School Age
It may seem like only yesterday you were changing the diapers and today your little baby is off at school, making new friends, meeting new people, and being influenced by things outside your control. Kids at this age are also trying to figure out new rules, manners, and what the values of their family are.
Most kids at this age are old enough to start wondering about the differences between how their family is run compared to their friends' families. So even with all these changes going on, you are still the biggest influence in your child's life and development. Even though you may notice you are spending less time together, your job as a parent is as important, if not more so, than ever.
Social skills
Whether it is school, sports teams, music lessons, dance classes or other activities, your child will be trying to find their place in the world and discovering how to feel part of a larger social group. Some things you can do to encourage your child socially are:
- Give them chances to make friends through sports teams, clubs, sleepovers, and other groups.
- Be aware of what is happening socially with them. Offer ideas and tips about how to handle different situations they run into. For example, "It is nice to smile when you first meet people" or "Bringing a cookie for your friend would be a caring thing to do".
- Helping your child build empathy will help them understand others' points of view and to handle conflict better. Talk about feelings in your conversations with them and ask them about how others may feel in different situation.
- Give your child ideas and practice with conversation skills. Ask them open-ended questions and listen carefully when they speak.
- Help your child understand behaviours that may make it difficult to make friends. Talk with them about bullying, teasing, and self-centredness and how these can upset other people.
- Help them find other adults they can look up to. It could be teachers, coaches, or other family members.
And how all this benefits you?
- your children can teach you interesting facts from their day
- you will receive plenty of original artwork for the fridge, hallway, and your office wall
- you will learn creative ways to get more than "Good" as the answer to "How was school?"