CECD: Improving Fathers’ Involvement in Early Childhood Development

Many children in Cape Town, South Africa do not grow up with an involved father in their lives, often leading them to engage in delinquent behaviors. This project aimed to help the Centre for Early Childhood Development (CECD) improve the involvement of fathers in early childhood development (ECD) in Cape Town. We conducted interviews with experts on father involvement, principals of ECD centers, and fathers of young children to gain different perspectives from multiple key informants. From these interviews, we identified challenges fathers face and supports they need. We developed a father involvement program for the CECD to implement through ECD centers across Cape Town. The recommended program is intended to improve the relationships of families in Cape Town.

Alana Guilbault, Kiara Awunti, Dennis Leary, and Mattea Gravina with ECD principals

Improving Father’s Involvement in Early Childhood Development