Dads' Reading Morning

Dads' Reading Morning, an initiative organised by our Junior Library staff, is always an incredibly popular event. 

It was initially launched, a few years ago, as part of a campaign to encourage our boys to read more. With the growing distraction of technology, more boys seem to be struggling to engage in and enjoy reading. There is extensive research that proves how listening to Dad or other positive male role models can encourage boys (and also girls) to read for pleasure. Reading is still seen as a predominantly female activity and our Junior Library is on a mission to try and change this!

For more detail about this research, please click the links below to read the following articles:

• The Guardian 'How can we encourage boys to read for pleasure. Teachers give their views.'
• The Telegraph: 'Five reasons why dads should read to their children more.'

A huge thank you to the following Harrodian Dads, Grandads, Uncles and teaching staff who gave up their time to come and read with our 8s (Year 4)  to 11s (Year 7) classes:

Mr Al-Hammad, Mr Freeman, Mr Gibbon, Mr Vivian, Mr Barnett,
Mr Stones, Mr Griffiths, Mr Warren, Mr Forshaw, Mr Dionissiou,
Mr Cameron, Mr Viney, Mr Ashraff, Mr Chappell, Mr Page
Mr Sanders, Mr Muldoon, Mr Reed, Mr Collington, Mr Priest
Mr Duncan, Mr Friend, Mr Keogh, Mr Fenn-Smith, Mr Demopoulos
Mr Proudfoot, Mr Vaktskjold and Mr Colls

Two fathers were allocated to each class - one to read a humorous story or excerpt and the other to read a scary one!

The chosen texts were:

The readings were then followed by a Q and A session where pupils were able to ask their guests about their jobs, whether they enjoyed reading at school, whether they read much now and how often, if they think it is important and how they are required to read as part of their jobs. A number of lively and entertaining discussions followed as a result!

All of the Dads had a great time and enjoyed being part of their child's class for the morning. It gave them the opportunity to engage, in a less formal way, with their children's Form Teacher and classmates and the chance to meet other Harrodian Dads. 'It was a real insight into my child's everyday school experience and I am just annoyed it has taken me this long!' said one Dad. 'I have never accompanied any of my children on a school trip or offered to be a classroom helper when they were in the Pre-Prep, so I was so glad to be able to get involved!' commented another. 

The morning was a resounding success and proved, yet again, why Dad's Reading Morning is a firm fixture in the Harrodian calendar of events.