Hubungan Keterlibatan Ayah dalam Pengasuhan Terhadap Kemampuan Kognitif Anak

Cognitive development in early childhood is a fundamental foundation for shaping thinking skills, problem-solving abilities, and school readiness. While mothers often receive central attention in parenting, the role of fathers is frequently overlooked. However, previous studies have shown that paternal involvement significantly influences children's cognitive, emotional, and social domains. This study aims to analyze the relationship between father involvement in parenting and the cognitive abilities of children in Group B of TK Negeri Pembina Melati Tondo. Using a quantitative correlational approach and purposive sampling technique, 20 children aged 5–6 years were selected as the sample. Data were collected through cognitive development observation, father questionnaires, and teacher interviews. The Pearson correlation test revealed a very strong and statistically significant relationship between father involvement and children's cognitive ability (r = 0.833; p = 0.000). Aspects of father involvement, including emotional closeness, supervision, patience, and spiritual engagement, were found to support children’s skills in sequencing letters, matching numbers with objects, and classifying colors. These findings emphasize the strategic importance of father involvement in parenting as a key factor in optimizing early childhood cognitive development.