WE are deeply saddened to announce that David Drysdale, the much-loved social entrepreneur who founded Fathers Network Scotland and Year of the Dad, has died, aged 50. Continue reading Father’s Network Scotland founder David Drysdale dies
Tag: fatherhood
Year of the Dad launched at Edinburgh Zoo
A Song for Dad launches year of events
Children’s Minister Aileen Campbell launched the Year of the Dad at Edinburgh Zoo yesterday. Ms Campbell was joined by around 300 people who enjoyed a day of stories, speeches, food and music – including a beautiful song written by local schoolchildren to mark the event. Continue reading Year of the Dad launched at Edinburgh Zoo
Dads Rock head to Hamilton for fun on Father’s Day
Edinburgh dads group Dads Rock will head west to help launch a new PlayTalkRead initiative aimed at men tomorrow.
A list of 30 things for dads to do with their children up to the age of three is being launched this Father’s Day. Dads attending the Family Man Fun Day at Hamilton Park Racecourse this Sunday will be invited to have a go at some of the suggestions on the list by climbing on board the PlayTalkRead buses.
The two buses will be packed with activities for children to enjoy with their families. One of the buses will be taken over by Dads Rock, Scotland’s only musical playgroup run by dads for dads, who will be demonstrating their own brand of fatherly fun through songs, storytelling and games.
The 30 Things To Do With Dad Before You’re Three list offers loads of great ideas to encourage dads to spend some quality time with their children, from dressing dad up as a superhero and making pancakes together, to staging a mini Olympics and building a den to read a book inside.
Minister for Children and Young People Aileen Campbell said:
“Father’s Day rightly celebrates all that’s great about dads and is a great opportunity to have some family fun.
“This new list is packed with great ideas for dads spending quality time with their children. We know that evidence shows us that during the first three years of a child’s life, 75 per cent of brain growth is complete and an estimated 50 per cent of language is in place, so it’s never too early to start.
“Simply playing, talking and reading with little ones will give them the best start in life. I hope everyone visiting the PlayTalkRead buses at the Family Man Fun Day has a great day out.”
The full 30 Things To Do With Dad Before You’re Three list is available to download from the PlayTalkRead website along with a number of new interactive games for parents and children.
Thomas Lynch, co-founder of Dads Rock, said:
“We are thrilled to be asked to be a part of PlayTalkRead’s celebration of Father’s Day. This is only one step towards our long term vision to support dads across the country to understand the vital role they play in their children’s development. In line with PlayTalkRead’s principles we believe that doing simple things such as singing along to your favourite band, or playing with your children daily is crucial for bonding and children’s healthy development.”
Research underpinning the Early Years Framework shows that:
- During the first three years 75 per cent of brain growth is complete
- By the age of three, 50 per cent of our language is in place
- Children whose parents talk to them frequently have better language skills than parents who seldom talk to them (at 20 months babies of talkative parents knew 131 more words that infants of less talkative parents. At 24 months the difference was 295)
Follow Play Talk Read on Twitter – @playtalkread