Fathers, men and literacy

Summary of news on fathers' involvement with their children's education
Resources on involving dads, male relatives and carers
Research on father involvement and literacy
Initiatives to help prisoners read to their children
Initiatives specifically targeting men and boys
Initiatives specifically targeting fathers

Literacy Today articles:
Father involvement and children's literacy outcomes An overview of research evidence to date (March 2005)
Reaching fathers New ideas for involving dads in their children's literacy (September 2002)
Dads and other superheroes Nottinghamshire library project working with fathers (June 2001)

Summary of news on fathers' involvement with their children's education

2008
Research from Sweden’s Uppsala University in 2008 suggested that a good relationship between children and fathers has a positive effect that can last for two decades. Anna Sarkadi at Uppsala University said: "Our detailed 20-year review shows that overall, children reap positive benefits if they have active and regular engagement with a father-figure. We found various studies that showed that children who had positively involved father-figures were less likely to smoke and get into trouble with the police, achieved better levels of education and developed good friendships with children of both sexes."
The review looked at 24 papers published between 1987 and 2007. As well as examining research from Sweden and Israel, the researchers look at large-scale studies in the US and UK. The report was published in the journal Acta Paediatrica.

The Fatherhood Institute (formerly Fathers Direct) published a report suggesting that fathers in Britain are frustrated that society sees their role as inferior to the mother’s. Almost three-quarters of men researched believe a child’s relationship with its mother is valued more highly than with its father. Two-thirds of women agree, although a similar proportion of mothers think their partner is just as good at looking after their children as they are. The report, The Difference a Dad Makes, says that more men are involved with their children than ever, but are limited in the time they can spend with them by unsocial working hours and inflexible conditions. The report called for the government to introduce three months’ paid fatherhood leave. Download the report at www.fatherhoodinstitute.org
(Guardian, 8 January 2008)

2006
In 2006, a Government-commissioned report, by Jim Rose, said that fathers must take more responsibility for teaching their children to read. It urged that even the busiest dads, who may not have time to offer a bedtime story, can encourage a love of books and language in the home. They can be better role models for children simply by asking about their school work. They should set an example for their offspring, particularly sons, by making it clear that education and reading are a key means to success.

2005
A Government-backed report by the National Family and Parenting Institute, published in 2005, said schools must think of ways of involving fathers directly in the education of their children following research showing the benefits to children. Positive father involvement in education is associated with better exam results, better school attendance, less chance of involvement in crime, better quality interpersonal relationships and good mental health, the DfES said. In April, a Government-backed Fatherhood Quality Mark - a badge of excellence for family services that encourage father-involvement, developed by Fathers Direct - was launched. It is open to all early years and children's services, including children's trusts, schools and maternity and adoption services that meet the requirements of the Children's National Service Framework (NSF) to include fathers in all aspects of a child's wellbeing.

The Children, Fathers and Fatherhood initiative was launched in Scotland in 2005, as a national approach to issues affecting children and fathers. It aimed to raise awareness of those issues and encourage all dads to develop their fatherhood skills. One of those skills was encouraging a child through school.

A US study showed that fathers who choose material they found enjoyable spent twice as long reading to their children. California State University's Professor Ortiz, suggested that fathers need to find their "literacy comfort zone". In one of his studies he found that fathers who read school recommended texts read only for 15 minutes but if they read material that they had chosen themselves, it increased to half an hour.

2002
An Oxford University Centre for Research into Parenting and Children study in 2002 underlined the importance of the paternal bond, finding that fathers could make a real difference if they formed a bond with children from the age of seven. The findings were based on a study of 17,000 children born in 1958 who were tracked throughout the stages of their lives. Researchers found that those children whose fathers regularly read or played with them, or organised family outings, were more likely to have successful marriages and obtain A-levels and higher qualifications. Another survey from YouGov, of over 4,000 parents, found that 65% of mothers were responsible for reading to their children. 16% of fathers were simply too busy with other activities to devote time to storytelling, according to the research for Starbucks.

The Babyfather Initiative was set up by Patrick Augustus in partnership with Barnardo's in 2002, it aims to encourage responsible parenting amongst black males in the UK, in particular those who are separated from their children. The success of books and a BBC television series led to an overwhelming amount of enquiries to the initiative from black males, professionals, mothers, carers and others in the wider community concerned about the impact that absent fathers was having at a micro and macro level on the black community and society in general. For more information visit www.barnados.org.uk

Initiatives specifically targeting fathers

Projects supporting dads with their children's literacy
In education and schools
In prisons
In the army

Projects supporting dads in general

Projects supporting dads with their children's literacy

In education and in schools

Dads & Lads
A project running through Lancashire schools, linking literacy with sport in order to encourage dads to become more involved in their children's education.

It's a Man Thing
A father and child reading project run by the education charity ContinYou, which primary schools can buy into. It encourages fathers to become more active participants in their children's learning. Visit www.continyou.org.uk/content.php?CategoryID=261.

Putting Dads in the Picture
Putting Dads in the Picture aims to increase the numbers of men engaging in family learning. The two-year project, based in Solihull and run by the Campaign for Learning, champions fathers as role models and mentors. Contact Kerry Flynn about this project: kflynn@cflearning.org.uk.

Sanquhar Primary School, Dumfrieshire
The Scotsman reported on a groundbreaking project in Dumfriesshire, whereby Sanquhar Primary School and other schools in the area have been encouraging fathers to become more involved in their children’s education. Experts say ensuring fathers are involved in their children's education is best for all children. Sanquhar Primary School created Scotland's first men's group to encourage fathers to become more involved in their children's education. It has been so successful that a second group at Kelloholm Primary in the next village has also been set up, and another is being planned for nearby Closeburn Primary. For more information, visit http://news.scotsman.com/education.cfm?id=1650342007

(LTS Scotland, 19 October 2007)

In prisons

The Big Book Share
A project run by The Reading Agency, through which children's librarians help prisoners choose books to read on tape for their children. Visit http://www.readingagency.org.uk/adults/big-book-share/big-book-share/

Family Man / Fathers Inside
Run in prisons by educational charity Safe Ground, these courses use drama and storytelling to improve family relationship and parenting skills. Visit www.safeground.org.uk.

Storybook Dad
Builds on the established format of prisoners recording stories on to tape by allowing them to digitally edit their stories, removing any mistakes and adding music and effects as appropriate. The aim is to produce a finished product that enhances the stories, whatever the reader's skills. For more information see www.storybookdads.co.uk

Read about other reading initiatives involving fathers in prisons on the National Reading Campaign pages.

In the army

Storybook Soldiers
The BBC reported on an initiative to bring soldiers on foreign deployment closer to their families in the UK. Based on Storybook Dads, (www.storybookdads.co.uk/index.htm), the project aims to allow absent parents to read their children bedtime stories from thousands of miles away. The Army Education Centre in Wiltshire used prize money they had won to fund the scheme, where parents abroad record stories onto a CD and the project team adds music, sound effects and a CD cover. To read the article in full, visit http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/6965657.stm

(BBC, 28 August 2007)

Boys2MEN
A programme of music, arts, life-experience and sports for boys, young men and fathers/parent which aims to help males at risk of social exclusion to make the transition from childhood to adulthood. Run by Coram family: www.coram.org.uk/what-we-do/boys2MEN/

Children North East Fatherhood Cantre and Fathers Plus
An online knowledge bank to enable workers, managers and carers to share information and work together to include men in all local services. Visit www.fathers-plus.co.uk and www.includingmen.com or www.workingwithfathers.com.

YMCA Dads & Lads
A project helping fathers and children deepen their relationships through sharing an activity together. Grants, training, support and a range of resources are available to those wanting to start their own project. Visit www.ymca.org.uk/POOLED/articles/bf_webart/view.asp?Q=bf_webart_71180 for more information.

Sowing Seeds
Works with African and Caribbean men and fathers to support children and families. Visit www.sowingseeds.co.uk.

Top dads
Run by the education charity ContinYou, Top dads uses sport as an incentive for vulnerable young fathers to take part in mentoring on positive parenting and signposting to support agencies. Visit www.continyou.org.uk/content.php?CategoryID=271.

Young Fathers Initiative
A Working With Men project providing advice services, courses for expectant fathers and website materials for the support of fathers aged 25 or under. Visit www.workingwithmen.org/youngfathers.