Show Notes
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.
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Listen to more: If you enjoyed this episode, you might also like: · What is relationship-based parenting? With Cara Tyrrell - https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/what-is-relationship-based-parenting/ · The politics of parenting with Helen Simmons - https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/the-politics-of-parenting/ · 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
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