...join us this fall in Crookston, Marshall, Morris, Northfield, Proctor, St. Cloud, or St. Paul, Minnesota...

BACKGROUND: A series of half-day seminars, titled "Dads and Early Childhood Development: Connecting dads and children through literacy and early education," will focus on developmentally appropriate literacy activities, the influence of gender on reading habits, and the role of father-figures in children’s literacy development. The sessions will promote an understanding of the influences of talking, reading, singing, and playing as tools for expanding literacy.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND: The workshops are geared toward individuals working in pre-K thru elementary education, family services, child welfare, parenting education, public health, fatherhood advocacy, and other social service organizations. Whether you plan to teach a parent education class or to interact one-on-one with a single dad, the sessions will give you the tools necessary to help dads feel confident about their role in promoting literacy and alternate literacies.

OUTCOMES:

• Discuss research about the importance of fathers in early childhood and literacy development;
• Learn to talk to fathers about literacy (speaking, listening, reading and writing) and help men gain comfort while engaging in literacy activities with their children;
• Discuss the importance of father-child literacy activities from birth through elementary school;
• Understand activities that promote father-child literacy in formal and informal educational settings;
• Become involved in literacy projects: Dads and Kids Book Clubs and Fathers Reading Every Day;
• Receive literacy-related resource materials, research, activities, and a father-focused picture book.
  

REGISTRATION: The workshops are free to members of MFFN. Non-members are asked to pay a $10.00 registration fee at the door upon arrival (registration includes a Certificate of Attendance, snacks, handouts, and a father-focused children’s book). Cash or check payable to MFFN.

RSVP: Please RSVP no later than one week prior to the event. EMAIL: info@mnfathers.org or FAX: ATTN Paul Masiarchin 612-787-4002. Please include your name, email and the session you will attend. For further details, feel free to call Paul at (612) 787-4091.