More than a father: Emotional presence in early childhood practice

Children need more than provision; they need emotionally present adults who help them feel safe, understood and valued. Drawing on his work with children with complex and neurodivergent needs, his journey as a dad, and his book More Than A Father, Opeyemi Ogunmadeko explores what emotional presence can mean for parents, carers and early childhood educators.

Read the article here:

https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/more-than-a-father-emotional-presence-in-early-childhood-practice/

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· Perception, positivity and parents with Wendy Kettleborough - https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/perception-positivity-parents/

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Episode break down:

00:00 - Introduction
01:47 - Introducing Opeyemi
02:30 - Emotional presence beyond provision
06:45 - Fathers' emotional connection and their own upbringing
11:03 - Connecting with each child through time and play
14:13 - Cultural expectations and fathers' involvement
18:01 - Building support networks for fathers
22:24 - Seeing children's identities beyond behaviour
25:54 - Understanding behaviour as communication
28:05 - Connection before correction
32:26 - Pausing before responding to children
34:55 - Recognising progress without comparing children
36:33 - How adults' words shape children's sense of self
39:01 - Welcoming fathers and father figures into early childhood settings
45:05 - Supporting fathers to reconnect with their children
48:20 - Reflecting on childhood experiences and seeking support
49:46 - Protecting children from parental conflict and modelling respect
54:49 - Self-awareness and rethinking the breadwinner role
56:37 - Emotional connection in care for children with additional needs
01:00:10 - Parental burnout and supporting siblings' emotional needs
01:03:30 - Professional love and trauma-informed practice
01:04:40 - Family diversity, father figures and role models
01:07:28 - More than a father: the inspiration behind the book
01:13:22 - Further reading and closing reflections

For more episodes and articles visit The Voice of Early Childhood website: https://www.thevoiceofearlychildhood.com