The Father's Role in Kindergarten Preparation

In a traditional family, the mother and the father usually have different roles. The father usually commands authority. His voice is very important in a household and family members look up to him when making important decisions. He is also the voice of wise advices. Whenever a family member needs guidance and emotional support, he is usually the parent who can do the job. No matter how authoritative he can be, the children always have a special place for him in their hearts. They always love their father when he takes them out for ice cream or a drive around the park.

On the other hand, the mother of the family has a softer role. She makes sure that the kids are cared for in every aspect of living. She makes sure that everyone has something to eat, and that the children always safe. She is considered as the primary shopper of the family. Both parents have very important role in their children's lives, and when a child is old enough for kindergarten, the parents have a role in this important milestone.

The physical preparation for kindergarten usually involves the mother. The uniforms, food, and school supplies are usually her responsibility. The father also takes part in kindergarten preparation through mental and emotional preparations. His role is to be the children's mentor to help them accept this transition in their lives. Although the father does not help much with the physical preparations, his role is still significant. Without him, the children do not have a strong mentor and adviser to help them cope with their lives changes.

In the eyes of a little boy, his father is a hero-a brave soldier who conquers the world each day. He idolizes him, and everything that his dad does is translated into bravery and leadership in his own imaginary world. For instance, whenever his dad pays for food in the restaurant, he may see it as "hunting for food". In his mind, he sees his father as mighty warrior, bountiful hunter, and a powerful wizard. These are the images in his mind that can help him prepare himself for the great adventure of going off to kindergarten.

The father of the family knows how to change fear into excitement that the child is feeling on the day that he attends kindergarten. It is in his nature to motivate his children to go to school. The children also listen to him in return, and then daddy says, "You can do it. You can be a brave man like daddy", it is enough to motivate the child to conquer all his fears and attend the first day of kindergarten so he may live up to daddy's great expectations and become the man that he always dreamed of becoming.