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Parents as Parents in Early Learning - Dads!
[ 22 May 2008]
Coventry: Parents as Partners in Early Learning
The Dads ACE (Allotment Childrens Education) Project is a joint venture between Moat House and Bell Green Childrens Centres, the North East area of Coventry.
The aim of the project is to work with unemployed dads and their children from the North East of Coventry to transform an abandoned allotment plot into an exciting outdoor learning environment. The dads and their children will then attend a year long innovative programme of child-led learning which will focus on developing the dad's and children's language, literacy, emotional literacy and communication skills through growing produce, exploration of the natural environment and outdoor play.
What was done?
After initial consultation with dads from existing groups we were struck by their desire to send time with their children outside. From this we developed the concept of developing an outdoor learning environment, borrowing its ethos and delivery from the innovative Scandinavian Forest School system of outdoor education.
We felt it was necessary that we provide both the dads and children with Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), including boots and wellies, waterproofs and warm coats. Although vital from a Health and Safety perspective, it also ensured that financial outlay for appropriate clothing did not prohibit dads from taking part.
Space for the project was found at a local allotment, which was incredibly overgrown and neglected. Volunteers from Jaguar cars facilitated by Business in the Community helped to develop the site into a safe environment for children.
We recruited the dads by contacting voluntary, community and statutory organisations and schools in our area, and asking them to refer dads to the project. We invited the families of the dads who had been referred to the project to a barbecue, which gave us the opportunity to explain what the project was about. We felt it was important to invite mums too, as past experience with running dads groups had shown us that if the mums are enthusiastic about the project then the dads would attend.
The project aims to:
- Provide a stimulating and exciting outdoor learning environment.
- Offer an opportunity to increase the dad's awareness of, and to provide the children with, the concept of responsible risk taking.
- Create an environment in which to develop the children's communication, language and literacy.
- The opportunity for dads to develop new skills and to recognise their contribution to their child's learning.
- Encourage dads and children to learn together at home through a series of take-home learning resources.
- Improve the self-esteem of both the dads and their children.
- Develop sustainable long term relationships between parents and Childrens Centres.
By providing the dads and children with a waterproof digital camera and learning journal in which to record their experiences, we aim to develop a culture of family learning through which it is possible to measure the impact of the project on individual families.
Impact and outcomes
In partnership with the dads and children we have developed an exciting outdoor learning environment, where they can explore nature, grow vegetables and learn through play. Fifteen dads and their children have attended the project out of which a core group of eight has been established.
Through attending the project the dads are more able to support and recognise their child's learning and have a better understanding of their role as the primary educators of their children; this has been demonstrated by their eagerness to attend the project, their enthusiasm to use the learning resources at home and to initiate their own learning activities that develop a mutually beneficial partnership.
The project has had a positive impact on the children who have visited the allotment; they have been introduced to new vocabulary and have had the opportunity to learn in new ways, which has improved their self-esteem and confidence as learners. This in turn has had a positive impact on their communication, language and literacy skills. The project has given the dads and their children the opportunity to develop mutual trust and an acceptance of each other's roles.
Sustainability and embedding practice
The Dads ACE project has become part of the Bell Green and Moat House Childrens Centres embedded practice, enabling them to meet their core offer in regard to working with fathers and male carers. The project has all of the physical resources that it needs to keep running for the foreseeable future, and we plan to seek funding to enable the project to recruit an outdoor learning co-ordinator. Access to the site could then be offered to schools, nursery and other community groups. During consultation, the dads expressed their desire to play a more prominent role in the planning, development and delivery of the project. We plan to do this by utilising the parent's funds of knowledge, supporting them to access training relative to the project, and to facilitate them developing a role within the project.
How to get involved?
If you are a dad, grandad or a man who looks after children aged 2-5 living in the NDC area, Bell Green, Stoke Heath, Wyken or Longford you are very welcome to join in. The group meet on a Wednesday between 11-3, and there is transport avaliable. Food is served and all the equipment you may need is also provided. Contact Tim Jacques on 024 7662 2158 or Kay Williams on 024 7644 3061.
If you work with children, young parents or their families, in a school or pre-school and you think that there are some Dads that would enjoy playing, learining and working outside with ther children then please ring Kaye or Tim on the numbers above to refer them to the programme.
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