Experts reveal why talking is the best Father’s Day gift
IT’S EASY TO THINK OF FATHER’S DAY IN TERMS OF GREETING CARD JOKES AND NOVELTY GIFTS, BUT IT’S ALSO IMPORTANT TO RECOGNISE AND REFLECT ON THE KEY ROLE DADS AND FATHER FIGURES PLAY IN A CHILD’S DEVELOPMENT
THE role is constantly changing, with the job description for “dad” having evolved over the generations from breadwinner and disciplinarian to now playing a broader and more active part in the care and development of their children.
According to experts working with the Welsh Government’s Talk With Me programme, which shares speech, language, and communication skills (SLC) advice with parents and those caring for children aged between 0-5, one of the most important roles dads can play from the earliest days of parenthood is helping to develop these important life skills.
Deputy Minister for Social Services, Julie Morgan said: “Dads and father figures come in all shapes and sizes, and there is no one answer to the question ‘What is a dad?’. What we do know is the crucial role they play in shaping their child’s future. It is amazing what children take in at a young age and talking with little ones, playing and sharing books together are some of the best ways a parent can help their child to develop.”
Speech and language therapists say that talking with little ones through play, reading, or just general chatter, helps their brains grow and develop. Even the simplest steps can help them develop as they learn to form new words, make connections between words, and put sentences together.
Experts also suggest that building SLC activities into the time parents and carers already spend interacting with their children can significantly boost their development and communication skills.
The amount of time dads spend with their children has undoubtedly increased in recent years, particularly since the onset of the pandemic.
In May 2020, the Office for National Statistics revealed that the first Covid lockdown resulted in a 58% increase in childcare undertaken by men.
While the data shows women continue to spend more time on childcare, the gender care gap had reduced.
Similarly, the findings of a study by the Fatherhood Institute, Lockdown Fathers, found 78% of dads spent more time with their children, with 65% reporting that they had a better relationship with their children after the spring 2020 lockdown.
But speech and language experts are keen to point out that many of the activities that can boost a child’s development can be built into everyday activities. In fact, many parents and guardians may not realise how much the things they do each day are benefiting their child.
So, what are the day-to-day activities that dads and others who care for young children can do to aid language development?
THE BEST PLACE IS FACE-TO-FACE
As little as five minutes of face-to-face interaction per day can have a huge benefit for younger children. You could be playing on the floor, sitting at the dinner table, or out for a walk. It all helps!
SING A RHYME AT ANY TIME
It doesn’t matter if you’re singing “twinkle, twinkle”, or something funny that dad thought up himself. Simple, fun rhymes are a great way to build confidence and language skills. Adding actions or names into the mix helps even more.
TALK AND PLAY EVERY DAY
Daily routines can easily be turned into opportunities to engage with your child with fun games. Tasks like unloading the washing machine can be a chance to play with sock puppets, while a trip to the supermarket can be an opportunity to play a game of “I spy”.
LOOKING AT BOOKS TOGETHER
Sharing books with children sparks their imagination and helps them associate words with what they see. They don’t need to be able to read with you, and you don’t even need to read the words on the page to them just talking about the pictures in a book can be enough to get them interested and build on vital skills.
TALK ABOUT WHAT YOU CAN SEE
Talking about the things you can see when you’re at home, out for a walk, or even from looking out the window of a bus all helps to develop communication skills. For each time you ask your child what they can see around them, try to tell them the things that you can see yourself.
TURNING ‘SCREEN TIME’ INTO ‘YOU AND ME’ TIME
Watching programmes on a TV or tablet with your children can help them learn new words and develop their imagination.
Try talking with them about what you can see on the screen. Encouraging them to tell you about their favourite character’s adventures is a great way for them to practise their communication skills.
ADDING A WORD TO THE CONVERSATION
Helping to build your child’s vocabulary is as simple as adding an extra word or two to what your child has said. If they say “car”, use words like “it’s a big car” or, “the car is driving fast”. Try to think beyond just using colours and numbers to describe things. Their teddy could be “fluffy”, “small”, “waving”.
BEDDGELERT
ST MARY’S CHURCH: Services are now being held every Sunday at 9.30am. alternating between Holy Eucharist and Morning Prayer.
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BLAENAU FFESTINIOG
SSAFA GWYNEDD: Seeks caseworkers in the Gwynedd area to help and support our veterans and their families. If you can help, please contact Andy Williams 07958524298.
CAERNARFON
GWYNEDD LIBRARIES: are available online. it’s possible to download all sorts of e-resources online through Gwynedd Libraries. You can access these resources online for FREE through any Internet accessible device These resources are available in Welsh and English and are suitable for adults, children and young people. e-books, oral e-books through Borrowbox, e-books, e-audio books through Borrowbox, e-magazines and e-comics through RB Digital, Theory Test Pro to practise the theory driving test questions. Also If you are a member of Gwynedd Libraries you can register for access to the National Library of Wales’ electronic resources including: People’s collection Wales, Welsh newspapers online and Welsh Journals. You can see what’s available through visiting: http://www.gwynedd. llyw.cymru/librarycatalogue. Remember, to access all of this you need to be a member of your library first! But becoming a member is simple, you can join online and then you can access all of the digital resources.
ANGLESEY & GWYNEDD WIDOWED SOCIAL GROUP: This is a social group covering Anglesey, Bangor, Caernarfon and Llyn, set up for widowed people to enjoy life again in the company of other widowed people who understand. As a guide it is suggested that people aged 50-70 will get the most from membership, as we aim to be active, out and about. At the moment it meets regularly in Bangor, Menai Bridge and Caernarfon and also meets up weekly for walks, and to go to opera, ballet, gigs, cinema, meals, pub quiz and weekends away. If you are an internet user please go to www.meetup.com and enter “Anglesey&Gwynedd Widowed” (without the quotes) then apply to join. Or Call Dilwyn on 01248 601599, email dilwyn198@ gmail.com, or Lyn on 01286 678252, email lyn2910@yahoo.co.uk Please note: this is not a dating group.
CLYNNOG FAWR
COMMUNITY WEBSITE: The Community Council intends to establish a community website which will include details of the work of the Community Council but will also have space for other information such as local history, forthcoming events, etc. Anyone with ideas regarding the site are welcome to contact the Clerk (01286 660141).
ST BEUNO’S CHURCH: There is a service in St Beuno’s church at 11am every Sunday. You are all most welcome.
CRICCIETH
ST CATHERINE’S CHURCH: Sunday services at 11am.
SSAFA GWYNEDD: Seeks new caseworkers in the Gwynedd area to help and support our veterans and their families. If you can help contact Andy Williams 07958524298.
CAPEL Y TRAETH: June 26 at 11:30am. English Congregation. Worship with Communion is led by Rev David Isaacs. Visitors especially Welcome.
LLANAELHAEARN
ST AELHAEARN: There will be a service every Sunday at 10am.
LLANBERIS
SSAFA GWYNEDD: Seeks new caseworkers in the Gwynedd area to help and support our veterans and their families. If you can help, contact Andy Williams 07958524298.
ST PADARNS: Holy Communion is held every Sunday at 11am and every 4th Sunday at 8am. The church is open daily from 10 until 3 for visitors and foodbank donations.
MAENTWROG
EGLWYS ST TWROG: Dydd Gwener Mehefin 24, Noswaith Gerddorol 6.30yh. Tuag at Cronfa’r Eglwys. Croeso I pawb.
ST TWROG’S CHURCH:Friday June 24. Musical Evening 6.30pm. For Bro Moelwyn Church Funds. All Wellcome by Donation during evening
NANT PERIS
ST PERIS CHURCH: Holy Communion is held every Sunday at 9:30am. A service is also held every Tuesday at 11am alternating between Holy Communion and Morning Prayer.
PENRHYNDEUDRAETH
REFUGEE SUPPORT: collection of clothes, toys, toiletries and household items i.e. bedding, curtains etc. at Holy Trinity church Penrhyndeudraeth. Please separate and label items in bags and put into the brown bin in church porch. Thank you.
PENYGROES
CYMORTH CRISTNOGOL: Gwnaethpwyd casgliad o £763 yn ystod mis Mai yng Nghapel y Groes. Diolch i bawb am eu haelioni.
PORTHMADOG
ST JOHN’S CHURCH: Sunday services at 9.30am
SSAFA GWYNEDD: are requesting new caseworkers in the Gwynedd area to help and support our veterans and their families. If you can help,contact Andy Williams 07958524298.
CATHOLIC CHURCH: The Sunday Mass times for the Parish of the Most Holy Redeemer and St Joseph are: Vigil Mass 6.30pm Saturday (Pwllheli), Sunday Mass 9.30am (Pwllheli) and Sunday Mass 11.30am (Porthmadog). The Masses celebrated in Pwllheli will also be relayed as live streams and can be accessed by following the link in the Live Streaming section of the Parish website: porthmadogpwllhelirc.wordpress.com
PORTHMADOG MARITIME MUSEUM: Is now open, including the children’s and education section. We will be keeping an eye on the situation and following all government advice and regulations. The museum is a charity and is always looking for volunteers to man the desk, administration and maintenance. If you feel that you can offer support in any way please contact Porthmadog Maritime Museum, The Harbour, Porthmadog, LL49 9LU 01766 514581 / 07866633927 contact@ portmm.org
PWLLHELI
WOMEN’S AID: De Gwynedd Women’s Aid provides support to all women living in Dwyfor and Meirionnydd who have suffered or are currently suffering domestic abuse, regardless of age, marital status, culture and language, with or without children. We offer free confidential information and help on benefits and housing, and we are there also to those who just need someone to talk to. Contact on 01758 701005.
SSAFA GWYNEDD: Seeks new caseworkers in the Gwynedd area to help and support our veterans and their families. If you can help, contact Andy Williams 07958524298.
BANC BWYD PWLLHELI FOODBANK: is in need of volunteers. Do you have a spare hour or two? Can you help? Contact Karen Cooper on 07747800320 Or drop into St Peter’s Church on Tuesday or Friday noon-2pm.
CANOLFAN FELIN FACH: Staff at Canolfan Felin fach are on the other end of the phone Monday - Friday 10am 2.30pm during lockdown. For any enquiries or a chat please contact us on 01758 701 611/
CAPEL Y DRINDOD: Dydd Sul, Mehefin 26 - 10yb Parch Gwyn Rhydderch. 2yp Ysgol Sul yr Oedolion.
CATHOLIC CHURCH: The Sunday Mass times for the Parish of the Most Holy Redeemer and St Joseph are: Vigil Mass 6.30pm Saturday (Pwllheli), Sunday Mass 9.30am (Pwllheli) and Sunday Mass 11.30am (Porthmadog). The Masses celebrated in Pwllheli will also be relayed as live streams and can be accessed by following the link in the Live Streaming section of the Parish website: porthmadogpwllhelirc.wordpress.com
RHODWYR LLŷN RAMBLERS: On Thursday June 23rd there will be a walk around the Little Orme in Rhos on Sea, led by Miriam. For more information contact Noel (01758 713300, noeldavey@ compuserve.com).
GORWEL/HORIZON WALKING GROUP: On Wednesday June 29 there will be a walk in Pentrefelin led by Val at 11am. For more information contact Noel (01758 713300, noeldavey@compuserve.com).
TALSARNAU
POST OFFICE: In the Canolfan Community Centre Monday 12.3-3pm and Thursday 9-11am.
TALYSARN
CAPEL SEION: Fe fydd na oedfa Sul nesaf Mehefin 26 am 2 o’r gloch yn nghwmni Mr Mici Plwm, Pwllheli.
TRAWSFYNYDD
TE MEFUS A DIWRNOD HWYL: Dydd Sadwrn Gorffennaf 2. Eglwys St Madryn’s 2.00y.pm. Arian tuag at Eglwysi Bro Moelwyn
STRAWBERRY TEA AND FUN DAY: Saturday July 2, 2pm. St Madryn’s Church. Proceeds towards church funds.
TREFOR
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