Research Facts: Dads and Children's Literacy

Fifty African-American fathers participating in fatherhood programs, such as those in Head Start, wanted to support early literacy development in their young children. However, many felt challenged by the expectations attached to parenting roles and their own limited formal education. Yet, fathers who have limited schooling still have a significant impact on early literacy development through interactive engagement with their young children such as reading a bedtime story, identifying labels at the grocery store, or talking about street signs.
     Gadsden, V.L., & Bowman, P. 1999. African American males and the struggle toward responsible fatherhood. In A continuing challenge in times like these: African American males in schools and society, (Eds. V. Polite & J. Davis). New York:
Teachers College Press.

In a study of 47 fathers and their young children in New Mexico, fathers not only engaged in literacy activities but strengthened their parent-child relationship in the process. Fathers whose primary language was not English wanted their children to develop literacy skills at an early age because of concerns about their school readiness skills. Engaging children in joint literacy activities can serve a dual purpose: strengthening literacy skills and socio-emotional skills.
      Ortiz, R., Stile, S., & Brown, C. 1999. Early literacy activities of fathers: Reading and writing with young children. Young Children, 54(5), 16-18.

A study of children in K-2nd grades suggested that Mexican-American fathers who shared child rearing duties with their spouses, as opposed to dividing these tasks, were more likely to engage in reading and writing activities with their children. It was easier for fathers to engage their children in literacy activities when coupled with other esponsibilities, such as bath-time when books could be read.
     Ortiz, R. 1996. Fathers’ contribution to children’s early literacy development: The relationship of marital role functions. Journal of Educational Issues of Language
Minority Students, 16, Boise State University.

Children who grow up with warm, nurturing, and actively involved fathers reap tremendous benefits, including better school performance, increased selfesteem, healthier relationships with peers and caregivers, and future access to greater financial resources, according to a recent review of the research. In fact, children’s potential for academic success begins long before school age. When fathers read to their young children on a regular basis, they tend to raise children who are superior readers, who perform better in school, and who have better relationship skills.
     Green, S. 2002. Involving fathers in children’s literacy development: An introduction to the Fathers Reading Every Day (FRED) Program. Journal of Extension, 40(5), www.joe.org.

Fathers can ensure that their children’s early literacy development is stimulated by reading to their newborns and continuing this activity at home and in early childhood education settings. For example, fathers can read and select books with their children at the library; allow children to scribble, write, and color; introduce new vocabulary words through reading; and identify letters and important words such as their names. In addition to joint literacy activities, fathers can just talk with their children, an often under-rated parent-child activity, to strengthen relationship bonds.
      Gadsden, V. & Ray, A. 2002. Fathers’ role in children’s academic achievement and early literacy. Eric Digest, EDO-PS-03-14.

Fathers from African-American and Latino cultures engage in the same kinds of literacy activities as mothers, and play a powerful role in supporting literacy development in young children, according to multicultural studies. Fathers, like mothers, read story books, environmental material, newspapers, and stories on the internet. Furthermore, both parents engage in the same writing activities including spelling; identifying, coloring, and tracing letters; and typing words on the computer. All fathers model the power and value of reading and literacy when they engage in joint literacy activities with their children.
     Gadsden, V.L., & Bowman, P. 1999. African American males and the struggle toward responsible fatherhood. In A continuing challenge in times like these: African American males in schools and society, (Eds. V. Polite & J. Davis). New York: Teachers College Press.
     Ortiz, R.W. 2000. The many faces of learning to read: The role of fathers in helping their children to develop early literacy skills. Multicultural Perspectives, 2(2), 10-17.

Compiled by Bulletin Staff.