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| Dad, let's read |
Fathers who read to their kids do make a difference, say experts Dads – do you read to your child regularly or help out during homework time? Research in the UK and other countries has shown that when fathers take an active role in their children’s education by volunteering at school, helping children with their homework or attending school meetings, children are more likely to do better academically, to participate in extra-curricular activities and to enjoy school. Children whose fathers are more involved in their lives also have higher self-esteem and interact better with their peers. In addition, the benefits extend to the caregivers too. Fathers benefit from greater skill acquisition, greater confidence and self-esteem, and a better father-child relationship.
Such findings are not lost on concerned parents and education professionals in Singapore. In 1994, three young fathers got together and founded the Centre for Fathering (CFF), based on their deep conviction that a father’s parental involvement makes a tremendous difference to his child’s development. As such, CFF carries out preventive social work by providing family-life education to parents at an early stage of their parenthood in the form of talks, seminars, workshops, camps and other programmes and services. Most of these programmes have a special focus on men, in line with their objective of supporting and equipping fathers in their parenting roles.  The National Library Board is also organizing 10,000 Fathers Reading!, an annual nationwide movement to encourage fathers to read to their children on a regular basis. This initiative aims to increase fathers’ involvement in their children’s literacy development and to improve the quality of father-child relationships. The launch event will be held on 14 June 2009 at the Plaza of the National Library Building and include a colouring competition, storytelling sessions and workshops with crafts and family bonding activities.For more details, check out: - Research by the National Literacy Trust (UK) on father involvement and literacy at http://www.literacytrust.org.uk/Research/fatherarticle2007.html - Centre for Fathering Singapore at www.fathers.com.sg - The 10,000 Fathers Reading! event in our What’s On Calendar
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