Parents - Get Involved and Stay Involved!

An involved parent is the best thing any child can have. Your child's well-being -- his or her health, learning, safety, and emotional and behavioral development -- depends on you being an involved parent. But parents come in many types and face very different challenges. So in April we celebrate Child Abuse Prevention Month by offering information focused on two very different circumstances, the first part of the month is focused on how fathers can successfully engage their children in a loving relationship. The second half of the month is designed to provide information to parents whose children may have an autistic spectrum disorder. The Department of Children and Families hopes that this information is helpful as you fully immerse yourself in the challenges and joys of parenting.

Tips for Dads: Be involved, read to your children, and show affection. Learn more.

• Who is your child's all time hero? Learn tips for knowing your children.
• Tips for new dads: The troubleshooter's guide to crying babies.  
• Parenting: High expectations, dads and stress.  Tips for fathers on how to manage stress.   
• Tips for parents: "Daddy, I’m bored!”  Sound familiar? Find some fun things to do with your children. 
• Research results show that the presence of a father in the home lowers the likelihood that a child will be physically and/or emotionally abused and neglected. Learn more about the importance of being a father.   
• Dads make a difference. Studies have shown that the more involved dads are, the better the child does in school. Learn more.   
• 10 ways dads can connect with their children.    
• Be involved in your child's education. Read more.
• Do you tuck your kids into bed every night? Fathering at bedtime.  
• How to get Dad more involved with his child with an autism spectrum disorder.  
•  You can help your children with autism -- especially if you recognize it early on and treat it. Every parent should know what to look for.
• A child with autism is first and foremost a child. Learn what a child with autism wants you to know about autism.
• Early identification of a child with autism spectrum disorder is vital so that treatment begins early. If you have a baby or toddler, learn more about the signs.
• Helping your child minimize the challenges that come with autism can seem daunting. But there are general strategies that will help you succeed.  
• Caring for your baby right away is so important and especially if he or she has an autistic spectrum disorder. Learn more about autism symptoms and early signs and especially what to look for in babies, toddlers and children
• A parent whose child has an autism spectrum disorder needs help -- starting with experienced professional support. Learn how to seek therapy for your child.
• Children with an autism spectrum disorder can face challenges interacting with others. But with help from you and others, those challenges can be reduced. Learn how to help your child build social skills.
• Speech and language development is critical for every child and should be a focus for parents whose children have an autism spectrum disorder. Read 8 tips you can use to help your child in this critical area.
• Learn about how some experienced professionals are using behavioral therapy to help children with autism.

 Sources:

FATHERHOOD.GOV