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Father Involvement within the Early Childhood Environment. Roseanne Pickering TCS 6936: Enriching the curriculum Assignment two: Independent Learning Contract. Statistics. There is hunger for fathers which is affecting a generation, affecting children as young as one or two.
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Father Involvement within the Early Childhood Environment Roseanne Pickering TCS 6936: Enriching the curriculum Assignment two: Independent Learning Contract
Statistics • There is hunger for fathers which is affecting a generation, affecting children as young as one or two. • The statistics for father-less children are dramatic. Children with out fathers are more likely to have emotional, cogitative , social and behavioural problems.
Reflection on Father Involvement Melody Evans states that “against a backdrop of statistics, it seems to be that a father who is actively involved in the life of their child can dramatically change the way the child’s life pans out” (May 2008, p 58)
What do fathers think? • Survey done in New Zealand involving 1200 fathers showed that 80% generally wished they could spend more time with their children. “I take every chance I can to be involved within the centre and wish there were more opportunities to be involved.” (K. Stent, Personal communications, April 2012)
Why aren’t there more fathers involved in the ECE setting? Family Circumstances Family Income Gender views Ethnicity and age
What I found out about my centre and other centre’s practices. • My host-centre does treats both mother and fathers equally. • 2 out of 6 of the centres I surveyed does something to involve fathers. • All centre recognised the barriers fathers have however didn’t see the female environment as being such a big concern.
Communication- Is it a Barrier? • Communication is a barrier depending on age of both parents and teacher, gender awareness and ethnicity. • Finding ways in which we communicate with fathers is important as fathers do want to be involved.
Other Innovations • The UK and California are taking the lead in research and innovation programs regarding father involvement within the ECE setting. • Wellington, New Zealand – Young men's program • Centre of Innovation New Zealand – Involving fathers
Linking with the ECE Curriculum • By involving fathers into the centre we are support Te Whāriki e.g. Family and Community, Relationships, Belonging. Fathers NEED to be INVOLVED within their child’s development, by inviting fathers into the centre we are giving them the opportunity, this will also have an impact on their development.
Enriching our learning • Father involvement in dramatically important to children's development. • There are barriers we need to be aware of and overcome for us to build strong reciprocal relationships with fathers. • We can plan event and activities to involve father into our curriculum.