FAMILY ENGAGEMENT PLAN Jennifer Levinsky ECD 108 November 25, 2014

Stay at home dad Part time Plumber Ted Sawyer

Mom working full-time job away from home Communicating with family Jana Sawyer

Children Jacob and Emma 1 st graderToddler

Statistics The U.S. Census reports that 32% of married fathers (approximately 7 million dads) are “a regular source of care for their children under age 15. -National At-Home Dad Network

Strategies Strategies that can be used that will allow fathers to connect with the child’s class and feel comfortable: You can offer father-child activities that give dads time with their children. These can be done in the evenings and/or the weekends. By offering different times, fathers can attend when they are available. You can provide parenting groups for fathers. There are also fathers who are looking to get information about parenting and to build their skills as a dad.

The program benefits fathers and families in many different ways: Dads get to connect with other dads and have significant discussions with men with the same thing in common that may not often happen in other settings. “Mr. Mom’s” are just as equally important as “Mom’s”. Dad-only programs allow dads to be on their own with or without their children. Some programs for dads-only can include activities for dads and their kids, drop-in programs, dad’s conferences, parenting groups, prenatal classes for dads, and father discussion groups. Dad Programs