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National Literacy Trust urges new dads to embrace basic "TLC" rules in first three years of their baby's life
10 Jun 2011
This Father’s Day, the National Literacy Trust is launching a brand new Dads section
to its recently launched and highly popular www.talktoyourbaby.org.uk website,
dedicated to helping new dads communicate more with their young children.
Jonathan Douglas, Director of the National Literacy Trust comments:
Each year around 500,000 men become dads for the first time*. It’s brand
new territory for most men but babies don’t come with instruction manuals like cars and phones and many new dads lack the support networks that new mums have. So we’ve tried to create a place where new dads can find out advice about one of the most important aspects of their new baby’s
development.”
The newly launched section which encourages new dads to incorporate "TLC" (Talking, Listening and Communicating) into their everyday life with their new baby is
being endorsed by the Fatherhood Institute for the way it encourages dads to play a
central role in a crucial part of their child’s future development.
Research from the National Literacy Trust shows that around a quarter of new
parents in the UK believe that less than a third (30% or less) of a baby’s brain is
formed by the age of two when in fact the figure is closer to 70%. This lack of
awareness of how quickly a baby’s brain is formed is leaving many parents to delay
communicating with their baby, with a fifth of new parents in the UK believing it is
only beneficial to talk to their baby once they’re over three months old.
Jonathan Douglas, Director of the National Literacy Trust comments:
A baby’s first two to three years of life are absolutely critical to their
development of language skills that will be with them for life. With a baby’s
brain developing more quickly at this time than at any other point in their lives, literally every day, from day one counts.”
We’d encourage all new dads to use their first Father’s Day to log on to the
site and discover the basic rules of TLC – Talking, Listening and
Communicating – because our message is simple, there is no greater gift a father can give their child than the gift of communication.”
Rob Williams, Fatherhood Institute chief executive comments:
Research shows that positively involved dads can have a massive impact on their children’s learning and development, from pregnancy right through to adulthood. Many dads already do this brilliantly, and it’s vital that we give all dads space and support to play their part effectively.”
The newly launched section can be found at www.talktoyourbaby.org.uk/dads and
includes podcasts, and hints and tips to help stimulate communication between dads
and their babies and young children.
Dads are also being asked to make their own personal pledge to talk to their baby
more and to even hold a "Talk To Your Baby Party" to encourage their other dad
friends to incorporate more TLC into their day to day lives with their babies.
For more information about the campaign and how to get involved, log on to
www.talktoyourbaby.org.uk/dads
Ends
For further information please contact: Clare Bolton, The National Literacy Trust
clare.bolton@literacytrust.org.uk 07812 542314
Notes to Editors
* statistic taken from ‘The Expectant Dad’s Survival Guide’, by Rob Kemp
About the National Literacy Trust
The National Literacy Trust is an independent charity that transforms lives through
literacy. We believe that society will only be fair when everyone has the literacy skills
they need to communicate, to fulfil their potential and to contribute more to society.
We campaign to improve public understanding of the vital importance of literacy, as
well as delivering projects and working in partnership to reach those most in need of
support.
To help us transform lives through literacy, you can make a donation or support our
work. To find out how visit http://www.literacytrust.org.uk/support
National Literacy Trust is a registered charity no. 1116260, and a company limited by
guarantee, no. 5836486. Registered in England and Wales. Registered address: 68
South Lambeth Road, London SW8 1RL. Tel: 020 7587 1842
About Talk To Your Baby
Talk To Your Baby is a campaign run by the National Literacy Trust to encourage
parents and carers to talk more to children from birth to three. For more information
visit www.talktoyourbaby.org.uk. Our professional facing site can be found at
www.literacytrust.org.uk/talk_to_your_baby
