British Forces overseas asked soldiers who are fathers to tape record themselves reading stories so that their children can hear them when they are deployed for 4-6months in Iraq or Afghanistan. This was advertised widely and located at a supermarket around payday to encourage participation. A local radio station also helped and burned the recordings onto CD. A recent treasure hunt was organised by the local Homestart service and enticed some dads who were really competitive and showed off their navigation skills. They had to pick up clues from various depts such as SLT, army welfare, library before heading off for a prize at the last location. Also an Easter egg and Easter bonnet assembly involved dads in building or creating their child’s masterpiece and with dads attending to see the results.
The Children's Centre the Ark in North Lowestoft runs activity sessions for Dads and their children, usually with crafts based around a theme. To address language they use a theme such as making accessories to use with car play. Families made petrol pumps, bridges, garages, fire stations to help build a wider vocabulary and develop imaginative play.
Fatherhood Institute (formerly Fathers Direct) is the UK charity promoting support for the child-father relationship. Hit the Ground Crawling is peer mentoring designed especially for new dads. It involves groups of fathers-to-be spending an afternoon with new fathers and their babies. The fathers-to-be get an opportunity to discuss their thoughts and concerns with other dads in a relaxed setting and to see fathers in action with their babies - changing nappies, cuddling, massaging, etc. The programme is available to children's centres and other ante-natal providers. For more information visit www.fatherhoodinstitute.org
Cymorth SLT team in Bridgend, Wales are running a project aimed at promoting involvement of fathers with their children. The project aims to work with the fact that many fathers are in employment and are therefore hard to engage in traditional, daytime post-natal, toddler or parenting programmes and activities. The project is task-focused, to make the purpose of the father's involvement clear. Activities involve an awareness raising stage where information is provided to fathers in all the major employers of the Bridgend area through road show style events. Information provided at these stands in terms of leaflets containing suitable activities for dads to do with children of different ages. Support was given to the project from three 'celebs' who provided quotes and pictures to help promote the campaign to fathers. Posters and leaflets have also been produced, as well as a side-of-bus campaign. The main body of the leaflet is ideas of ways to play and talk to children of different ages, written with dads specifically in mind.
The project is embedded in policy and practice of major local employers through the leaflet being given out by several of the county's major employers in response to men asking for paternity leave. Also the leaflet was given out as a one-off to large groups of employees via their payslips.
The leaflets are also available for purchase in packs of 50 at a cost of £10 per pack, including postage and packaging. They are available in English and Welsh. To order contact Rebecca Jones on 01656 754 021 or email rebecca.jones@bromor-tr.wales.nhs.uk
The early years and childcare section at North Lanarkshire Council has a new project that has been set up to promote and facilitate the increased participation of men working within childcare and early years education in North Lanarkshire. The men into early years and childcare project is planning to deliver a campaign of awareness raising and advertising designed to encourage men to consider careers in early years and childcare. For more information visit www.northlan.gov.uk/
Sarn Nursery School in Bridgend run various days for dads such as the "SMITHs" (Significant Male In The Household) to make fun resources to use with their children when saying rhymes e.g fluffy sheep for Baa Baa Black/White Sheep, 5 little ducks, Incy Wincy Spider. Using resources from the local Library Service, SaLT and LAP Coordinator, breakfast is also provided. They are encouraged to play with their children around the nursery as well as make things and show their child that they value what they do in school every day.
Support for dads project has been set up in Barnsley to challenge gender stereotyping in the area of caring for and working with children and families. It is a joint partnership project between the Pre-School Learning Alliance and Homestart Barnsley. Amongst other things it includes supporting pre-school groups to be more inclusive for dads and male carers, accredited training in childcare and family support, an outreach service including information, advice and guidance on a wide variety of issues, a dads club and support into employment.
Young Fathers is an initiative run by Working With Men, to help and enable young fathers to be more involved in their child's upbringing. Their work includes the establishment of advice services for fathers and 'expectant fathers' courses, and publishing public information and website materials aiming to support and benefit young fathers and fathers of young children. They are developing the Young Fathers Initiative (YFI) to encompass: direct services and support for young fathers and campaigning on awareness of the specific issues affecting young fathers and the welfare of their families/child. A free advice booklet is available to download for expectant or young fathers. Visit www.young-fathers.org.uk/ or www.workingwithmen.org/youngfathers/
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