Family Literacy Initiatives: Reading with Dad Initiative

Family Literacy Programs: Reading with Dad Initiative

The Reading with Dad Initiative strives to increase fathers' involvement in the educational lives of their children. Studies indicate that a father's involvement in a child's early educational experience has a significant bearing on the child's academic life.

Through the Reading with Dad Initiative, the Minnesota Humanities Center has sponsored several "Dads and Early Literacy" workshops, developed and printed a book list brochure, and developed and implemented two
father-child literacy programs.

Reading with Dad Booklist
This initiative began in 2001 with the development of the Reading with Dad booklist, which includes information on 52 children's picture books featuring fathers in positive and unique parenting situations.

Fathers Reading Every Day (FRED)
In 2004, the Minnesota Humanities Center conducted pilots of Fathers Reading Every Day (FRED), a program created by Texas Cooperative Extension. FRED is a four week program with only two sessions that emphasizes to fathers (and other male caregivers) the fun and importance of reading and sharing stories with children on a daily basis. Based on the success of these pilots, the Humanities Center has made FRED a regular component of our program and will provide technical assistance and free children's books to host organizations throughout Minnesota who wish to implement this program.

Learn more about Fathers Reading Every Day (FRED).

Dads and Kids Book Clubs
In 2003, the Humanities Center began collaborating with Dr. Glen Palm of St. Cloud State University and St. Cloud ECFE on developing and piloting several series of Dads and Kids Book Clubs. In this program, fathers and other male caregivers bring their children to a 4-6 week series of sessions featuring the reading and discussion of quality children's picture books, along with related activities specially designed to interest fathers. Based on the success of these pilots, the Humanities Center has also made Dads and Kids Book Clubs a regular component of our program and will provide technical assistance and free children's books to host organizations throughout Minnesota who wish to implement this program.

Learn more about Dads and Kids Book Clubs.

Supporting Father Involvement in Family Literacy
Dr. Glen Palm of St. Cloud State University developed a list of ten ways that individuals and organizations can become more involved in Supporting Father Involvement in Family Literacy.

For more information
For more information on how you can be involved in the Reading with Dad Initiative, please contact Tom Fitzpatrick at (651) 772-4255.