Program open to 10 fathers raising children aged 36 months to 6 years
Eunpyeong-gu in Seoul will run a fatherhood education program designed to help fathers build stronger bonds and improve play interaction with their children, the district announced Tuesday. The program runs Wednesday through Oct. 24.
The district developed the program to help fathers gain confidence in parenting and build stable relationships with their children. It is open to 10 fathers in Eunpyeong-gu who are raising children between 36 months and 6 years of age.
The program combines online theory sessions and in-person classes so fathers can participate without constraints on time or location. The online sessions will be held Wednesday and Oct. 21, while the in-person classes will take place Saturday and Oct. 24 at the Eunpyeong Community Child-Rearing Center in Bulgwang-dong.
The theory sessions cover understanding children's behavior and characteristics, along with the knowledge needed for parenting and play. During the in-person classes, specialists will observe how fathers and children interact during play and teach fathers how to respond to their children's emotions and needs.
Fathers can apply through the Eunpyeong-gu Comprehensive Child-Rearing Support Center website.
Eunpyeong-gu has been actively pursuing family-friendly policies. A standout example is its dedicated taxi service for pregnant women and families with infants and toddlers — a program the district launched as the first of its kind in the country.
"Time spent playing with dad is a powerful force in a child's emotional development," District Mayor Kim Mi-kyung said. "We will consistently expand opportunities for fathers to take an active role in raising their children."
ikson@heraldcorp.com
