New resource helps Dads talk to babies
Katy Morton
Friday, June 24, 2011
The National Literacy Trust is urging new dads to incorporate talking, listening and communicating in the first three years of their baby's life into their everyday routine.
Research by the NLT has revealed that parents have a lack of awareness of how quickly a baby’s brain is formed, with a fifth believing it is only beneficial to talk to their baby once they are more than three months old.
To make parents, in particular dads, more aware of the importance of communicating with their new baby, the Trust has launched a new section of their Talk to Your Baby website to help new fathers play a crucial part in their child’s future development.
The newly launched section, which is endorsed by the Fatherhood Institute, includes podcasts and hints and tips to help stimulate communication between dads and their children.
The NLT are also asking fathers to make their own personal pledge to talk to their baby more and suggest holding their own Talk to Your Baby party to encourage other dads to incorporate talking, listening and communicating with their children into their day to day lives.
Jonathon Douglas, director of the National Literacy Trust, said, ‘Each year around 500,000 men become dads for the first time. Its brand new territory for most men, but babies don’t come with instruction manuals like cars and phones, and many new dads lack the support networks that new mums have. We’ve tried to create a place where new dads can find out advice about one of the most important aspects of their new baby’s development.’
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