How fathers and mothers play with children at age two predicts their children's future academic outcomes.

LOGAN, Utah, Mar 06, 2012 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- --Mothers Do More Teaching With Their Child When the Biological Father is a Resident in the Home

Results from a 15-year research project show that the ways in which fathers and mothers play with children at age two predicts their children's future academic outcomes.

Among the highly stimulating activities parents engaged in that were shown to have a positive impact on children's later academic performance are:

-- Encouraging and engaging in pretend play

-- Presenting activities in an organized sequence of steps

-- Elaborating on the pictures, words, and actions in a book or on unique attributes of objects

-- Relating play activity or book text to the child's experience

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/15-year-study-shows-positive-connection-between-how-parents-play-with-toddlers-and-their-childrens-academic-success-2012-03-06