Fathers Matter ECD – Fathers Matter

Helping ECD to include fathers in caring for children

Early Childhood Development

From birth to age 5, a child's brain develops more than at any other time in life.

During this period, children develop the connections they need to be healthy, capable, successful adults.
Dads play an important part in this process and ECD teachers can equip dads for this.
The Fathers Matter ECD Toolkit will show you how.

Fathers Matter's approach

Following an informal formative research process, Heartlines' Fathers Matter project has developed a free toolkit to help equip ECD practitioners.

The toolkit includes four short animations and two written resources that can be shared for free on email and WhatsApp. There are also copies available in printed format.

These are the topics we cover in the toolkit:

Why do fathers matter in the context of ECD?
The father-friendly ECD centre
Help fathers become partners in educating their children
Educating mothers and caregivers about the role of fathers

If you would like to find out more about our training workshops, please fill out this form.

Download the toolkit

Read our research report

The toolkit was developed following an informal formative research process. You can read more about our research findings by downloading the summary report.

FM ECD Project Research Summary

1.778 MB

View and download our resources, or find out more about the toolkit here

FM ECD Tips to be involved for dads Cover

ECD: Tips for dads to be involved

This one-page download has some tips for fathers on how they can be involved in their children's lives during their early years. You can download it and share it with fathers at your ECD centre.

ECD Toolkit: Written Guide

We developed this toolkit to support ECD practitioners in their essential work investing in the lives and education of children. This resource can help encourage increased father participation in early learning.

ECD Toolkit Video 1: Why do fathers matter?

Why do fathers matter? This is the first of four videos made for people who work in ECD and who want to understand more about why they should involve fathers in their ECD centres.

ECD Toolkit Video 2: A father-friendly ECD centre

What is a father-friendly ECD centre? This short video looks at why it can feel hard to involve fathers and how we can change that.

ECD Toolkit Video 3: Your partners in education

How can fathers get involved in their children's education when they are young? This video has some ideas for what fathers can do to be part of this important aspect of early childhood education.

ECD Toolkit Video 4: A father's role

What can a dad do to be part of his children's lives? Especially if he doesn't have money? This short video shares some ideas that ECD teachers can encourage fathers to do with their children.

ECD Toolkit: Video Discussion Guide

This short discussion guide can be used together with the fourth video clip from our ECD animated video series.

ECD: Planning an event for fathers

We know that it's not always easy to get fathers involved. There are so many reasons for this. That said, we hope that these tips equip you to take a step in building a good partnership with those fathers who do want to be involved.

What other people are saying

"It changed my attitude

towards fathers. I now know how I can involve fathers in my ECD centre."- ECD teacher

"It was really helpful

– now I know fathers need to be involved in their children’s lives not only financially but also physically, and help children with their school work."- Workshop participant

"Andile helped fathers

get their dignity back by telling them that you don’t need money to be a father."- ECD workshop attendee

"It made me realise

that involving the fathers is actually a good way to ensure a better future for a child. Some of the fathers they think that they cannot do something because they think it is the mothers only. It changed me to go and speak to the fathers – showing them how important it is to be involved in the life of their children. Telling them that their children need them. "- Vuyiseka Lombo (ECD Principal)

Father's Day Fun!

Father's Day is a wonderful opportunity to teach children the positive aspects of fathering, and to celebrate those fathers who are present. Download these free lesson plan and event ideas to use at your ECD Centre:

FM ECD Event for Fathers

98.451 KB

FM ECD Fathers Day Lesson Plan

1.054 MB

FM ECD Fathers Day Lesson Plan Christian

1.805 MB

Other resources

Fathers Matter partners with many excellent and dedicated organisations working in the ECD space. Here are some recommended resources from these partners...

Hey Dad!

Hey Dad! is an app especially created for busy dads.

The Hey Dad! activities are designed to not only entertain your child but teach them maths, science and literacy skills at the same time.

Download the app

Takalani Sesame

Sesame for Families has a range of free resources that you can work through with your child.

Find out more

Fathers Matter