Because Every Child Deserves a Daddy Cool
Sesame Workshop India launched Daddy Cool, a program that has been successfully running for five years in Lucknow, aimed at challenging restrictive gender norms in parenting and empowering fathers to take an active role in child-rearing.
In India, women dedicate over five hours daily to caregiving, while men spend an average of just 30 minutes. Traditionally, fathers have been seen primarily as breadwinners, with limited expectations around active parenting. As a result, mothers shoulder most parenting responsibilities, often at the cost of career opportunities, and children miss out on forming strong emotional bonds with their fathers. This cycle continues across generations, reinforcing gendered parenting norms.
Research shows that father engagement in early childhood development strengthens emotional bonds, enhances cognitive and social skills, and encourages positive behavioural growth in children. For fathers, active participation in parenting improves their emotional well-being, deepens their connection with their children, and enhances communication abilities.
Our approach to father’s engagement is built on three key aspects of involvement.
Ensuring that fathers are physically and emotionally present for their children.
Focusing on active participation in one-on-one activities and strengthening
the parent-child bond.
Emphasizing the father’s role in taking ownership of the child’s care and overall
well-being.
We began in Lucknow by creating warm, safe spaces for fathers in urban slums to explore what it means to parent through play. In the first year, we focused on building the curriculum equipping fathers with skills for responsive caregiving, and gently challenging gender norms through workshops, storytelling, and digital media.
Over the next two years, we expanded to new areas within Lucknow, reaching more fathers and forming fresh cohorts. By Year 4, over 1,000 fathers had joined the journey, and we introduced a mentorship model where experienced fathers supported and inspired new ones. In Year 5, we took a significant step forward by integrating the program into pre-primary schools. Along the way, we saw meaningful change: more fathers attending school meetings, using positive discipline, and enjoying quality time with their children. Mothers felt supported. Children felt valued.
With a 90% retention rate, fathers stayed engaged driven by the visible, positive shifts in their families. Women played an essential role in encouraging their participation, sparking a wider wave of transformation.
This journey shows that when fathers are empowered to care, families thrive, children flourish, and communities move toward greater equity.
“Now, my wife and I together discuss topics concerning our son. We both actively engage in his academics, try to understand his likes and dislikes, and play with him. We together discuss about his emotions and plan for his future.”
– Meraj Ali
“When my father gave us the pitara box (Play kit), my brother and I felt good that our father is talking about play with us. Gradually he started to spend time with us and speaks to us lovingly. We like this kind of a father.”
– Riya Kashyap
“Ever since my husband started attending Daddy Cool program, he started to take care of the children more than me. He now spends time with the children. He plays with them, discusses about school, ask children about their likes and dislikes, friends, daily activities. This has led to a harmonious environment in the house.”
– Mithilesh Kumari
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