Spend time on just about any playground and you¡¯re sure to witness familiar — even iconic — examples of how profoundly dads affect their children¡¯s well-being.

On the grass, a father plays catch with his kids, patiently helping them develop skills and confidence. In the sand box, a dad helps his toddler sort out a conflict over a toy truck — demonstrating the rewards of cooperation in the process. For children everywhere, these kinds of simple, everyday interactions help build the foundation of healthy, long-term emotional growth.

While both parents are vital to their children¡¯s development, the role of dads has been getting more attention in recent years. To be sure, gender stereotypes — that men work outside of the house, leaving childcare to their partners — have not disappeared. But they are changing in the face of more equalized gender roles, the day-to-day pressures of two-income households, and the simple desire of more fathers to be an active presence in their children¡¯s lives.

Indeed, social and behavioral scientists have begun to track and measure the impact that involved dads can have. A host of scientific studies show that fathers are having a profound impact on their children¡¯s well being through simple, everyday interactions.

Mothers often guide their children¡¯s play by showing kids how their toys work, teaching them about functionality and rules. Fathers have often been observed engaging in a different kind of play: teaching children how to use toys and everyday objects in unexpected ways.

This sort of atypical play has been shown to result in expanded creativity, encouraging kids to find new and unexpected ways to play, according to a study done at Texas A&M University in 2000. For instance, by tossing blocks instead of stacking them or using a teacup as a hat, fathers were observed to help foster creativity and lateral thinking in their children.

Then there¡¯s physical play — the rough-and-tumble games often associated with dads that help children learn to manage aggressive impulses, understand their bodies¡¯ capabilities, and develop motor skills — all of which can lead to improved physical self-awareness, strength and confidence, according to research by the Children¡¯s Bureau, a federal agency focused on improving the lives of kids and families.

Sports-related bonding, traditionally associated with dads and sons, is notably beneficial for daughters, too. A study published in The Journal of Human Communication in 2013 showed that shared activities such as sports were among the most common bonding experiences in father-daughter relationships. By playing sports together or cheering on a shared favorite team, dads and daughters often deepen their connections in ways that resonate for years to come, promoting in daughters a healthy sense of parental love and acceptance.

Fatherly role models influence learning and cognitive habits as well. A 2012 study by the National Literacy Trust found a correlation between the reading habits and attitudes of dads and moms and those of their kids.

This means that fathers¡¯ reading habits can positively affect not only children¡¯s ability to read but also their interest in reading and their choice of reading material, the study found. Fathers can encourage a lifelong love of reading simply by reading to a child before bed, reading in their child¡¯s presence while the child engages in other activities, or talking about the things they¡¯ve read recently.

But the most important gift a father can give may be emotional support. Even if divorce, deployment, or other obstacles limit a dad¡¯s ability to spend time with his children, there¡¯s evidence that showing love and acceptance in other ways can provide lasting benefits.

Paternal approval can powerfully affect a child¡¯s future self-esteem, independence, emotional responsiveness, and more, according to a 2012 study by the University of Connecticut. This research was corroborated by findings published in Personality and Social Psychology Review later that year that linked perceived parental acceptance with lower hostility, greater independence, healthy self-esteem and increased feelings of adequacy in children.

By interacting with their kids in a way that demonstrates love and acceptance — perhaps through phone calls or written communications that express appreciation, congratulations, pride or interest in their activities — fathers can give their children a more positive worldview and a greater chance of success.

So this Father¡¯s Day, as we celebrate the importance of dads everywhere, take a moment to recognize the father figure in your life.