FRED: Fathers Reading Every Day

FRED: Fathers Reading Every Day

Fathers Reading Every Day (FRED) was developed by Texas Cooperative Extension to encourage fathers to read to their children daily. Over 1,000 fathers, grandfathers and male caregivers (and over 1,400 children) have participated in FRED since 2002.

FRED is a 4-week program with just two sessions: an opening event with free books and refreshments that highlights the fun and importance of reading with children, and a closing celebration that also features free books and refreshments. The goal of the program is to institute a new habit for fathers/male caregivers of reading/sharing stories with children on a daily basis (or as often as possible).

Results from a recent evaluation study in Texas demonstrated significant improvements in many areas, including the:

amount of time fathers spend reading with their children
level of involvement in their children's education
quality of time spent with their children
level of satisfaction with the father-child relationship

The program has recently expanded to other states, and MHC assisted host organizations in Thief River Falls, Baudette, St. Louis Park, Worthington, and Hugo in conducting pilots of FRED. These five pilots averaged 25 dads and 28 children at the opening session, and 20 dads and 22 children at the ending session. The high number of participants, along with overwhelming positive feedback from the host organizations and program participants, has led MHC to make FRED a regular component within Family Literacy Initiatives.

MHC is currently recruiting host organizations to implement FRED in their communities and has developed the following list of responsibilities.

The Minnesota Humanities Commission (MHC) will provide:

FRED "Father's Guide" packet to every father/adult
Two children's books to each family at first FRED session
Two children's books to each family at second FRED session
Additional materials on the importance of reading to children
Technical assistance to help plan the two FRED sessions
MHC staff person to present at first session (schedule permitting)

The Host Organization will commit to:

Conducting personal recruitment of fathers and families
Providing the location of first and second FRED sessions
Assembling informational folders for fathers including all the materials provided by MHC plus any local materials which must include local library information
Planning and presenting the two FRED sessions (with assistance from MHC staff)
Arranging for meals/snacks for both FRED sessions
Providing child care for 20 minute "Father time" during first FRED session
Maintaining periodic contact with fathers between the two FRED sessions
Distributing and collecting participant surveys and participant evaluations from fathers/adults
Sending the completed participant surveys and participant evaluations to MHC
Completing and sending the coordinator feedback form to MHC

For more information on FRED and/or to apply to become a host organization, please contact Tom Fitzpatrick at 651-772-4255.