Document Type
Article
Journal/Book Title/Conference
Fathering: A Journal of Theory, Research, and Practice about Men as Fathers
Volume
2
Issue
1
Publisher
Men's Studies Press
Publication Date
2-2007
First Page
83
Last Page
108
Abstract
Research on fathers in Early Head Start (EHS) has provided an opportunity to study fathers from low-income families. We examined father-toddler social toy play in relation to EHS enrollment, fathers' psychosocial well-being, and children's developmental outcomes in a sample of 74 father-toddler dyads. Overall, our results show that father-toddler social toy play was more complex among fathers in an EHS program than among those in a comparison group. Greater complexity in father-toddler social toy play predicted better cognitive and social developmental outcomes for young children, especially in the program group, but it was limited by fathers' psychosocial well-being in the comparison group and by time availability in the program group. Nevertheless, the impact of EHS on father-toddler play suggests that an early intervention that targets father involvement can influence positive father-toddler interactions in ways that enhance early development.
Recommended Citation
Roggman, L. A., Boyce, L. K., Cook, G. A., Christiansen, K., & Jones, D. (2004). Playing with Daddy: Social Toy Play, Early Head Start, and Developmental Outcomes. Fathering, 2, 83-108.
Comments
Published by Men's in Fathering: A Journal of Theory, Research, and Practice about Men as Fathers