Early years settings celebrate Father's Story Week

The aim of the event, organised by the Fatherhood Institute, is to give early years settings, schools, libraries and prisons the opportunity to reach out to fathers to encourage them to be more involved in their children’s learning and the difference this can make.

Those taking part in Father’s Story Week (15-21 June), which is in its fifth year, are free to decide how to celebrate, so events may include inviting dads to take part in read-and- rhyme sessions, arts and crafts or to a special assembly.

To support settings taking part, the Fatherhood Institute has created a number of free resources, which are available on its website. Among them are four Celebrity Story Time Videos featuring Coronation Street actor Charlie Condou (pictured), TV presenter Tim Lovejoy, children’s author Peter Bently and actor/playwright Nick Makoha, reading to their children.

Those taking part are also invited to share information about their event and photos on the Fatherhood Institute’s social media pages, using #fathersstoryweek on Twitter.

Adrienne Burgess, joint chief executive of the Fatherhood Institute, said, ‘There’s overwhelming evidence that children whose dads are positively involved in their children’s learning do better in all sorts of ways.

‘Celebrating Fathers’ Story Week gives settings a fantastic opportunity to reach out to dads and show how much they matter.’