WETZSTEIN: Playing with dads is good for kids

“Don’t eat me. I have a wife and kids. Eat them.”

- Homer Simpson to the aliens who abducted the Simpson family

All righty now. What would Father’s Day be without a little hair of the Homie?

I am sure there are evolutionary and otherwise profound psychological reasons for why, of all the fathers in America, the most recognizable one in 2008 is a cartoon buffoon.

But we will leave that scholarly inquiry for another time. Today, while we are enjoying our moments with Dad and his new tie/cigar/Craftsman tool, let’s have a serious talk about fun. As in how fathers are essential play partners for children.

And you thought fathers were just well-stocked ATMs.

One of our nation’s favorite activities is comparing the behavior of mothers and fathers. Good mothers are known for their savvy domestic leadership, culinary prowess, verbal skills, emotional intelligence and nurturing behavior.

Fathers are known for introducing kids to corny jokes, weird noises made with armpits, goofy faces and the fine art of throwing things in a general direction. Such as wet towels at the hamper. The television remote at the person who asked for it. The open bag of chips at … oh, you know what I mean.

Science, however, actually has redeemed fatherly playfulness. It’s not only fun for kids, it’s remarkably beneficial, research says.

According to the National Fatherhood Initiative’s “Father Facts,” fourth and fifth editions:

mChildren whose fathers regularly play with them are more competent in their peer relationships and more popular with peers than children whose dads don’t play with them a lot.

mFather-child outings are associated with fewer behavior problems, higher levels of sociability and better academic performances in the children.

mInfants whose fathers handle them a lot with affection are much more likely to be securely attached than other babies.

mPremature infants whose fathers spend time playing with them have better cognitive outcomes at age 3 than other preemies.

mFathers’ play is linked to children’s intellectual development and social character.

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