This set of four posters is designed to help schools, nurseries, Children’s Centres and other family services to welcome dads and emphasise their importance.

Most fathers are keen to engage with their children’s learning and development - but they may need extra support to help them do so. It's important to ensure that when they walk through the door they will feel ‘at home’ (and that children and mothers see positive images that help them make sense of why fathers and father-figures are important) and that's where these posters come in!

The posters feature photos of dads from different ethnic and cultural backgrounds, interacting positively with their children. Each one highlights a theme relating to dads' importance in supporting their children's learning, development and wellbeing, and includes a relevant research references to enable professionals to read further into the evidence. The themes and references are:

Dads matter to learning

Children with fathers who positively support their education, do better at school. Reference: Rebecca Goldman (2005) Fathers’ Involvement in their Children’s Education

Dads matter to good behaviour

Children of warm, supportive fathers are less likely to cause trouble. Reference: Eirini Flouri (2005) Fathering and Child Outcomes

Dads matter to self-esteem

Children with positively involved dads feel better about themselves and have higher life satisfaction. Reference: Michael Lamb (2004) The Role of the Father in Child Development

Dads matter to health

Children with physically active dads are themselves more likely to be active. Reference: Lennart Raudsepp (2006) Acta Paediatrica vol 95 number 1

The posters are A2 size (the equivalent of four sheets of A4 stuck together); two are landscape shape and two are portrait. They come rolled up in a sturdy cardboard tube to ensure they reach you in perfect condition.