FRED is a four week program originally designed by Texas A&M University to encourage fathers to read with their children every day. Fathers are asked to read with their children for 15 minutes per day during the first two weeks of a month and 30 minutes a day during the second two weeks of a month.
Why should dads get involved? A poll commissioned by the National Center for Fathering in 2009 showed that 55 percent of fathers read to their children at least once or twice per month. The discouraging news is that this poll also revealed that 39 percent of fathers never read to their children.
Reading with your child and having an impact on their education is not just a mom thing. In a 1997 study by the U.S. Department of Education, researchers surveyed more than 20,000 parents. The results of the study indicated that when fathers took an active role in their children’s education the children were more likely to make A’s, participate in activities like sports and clubs, enjoy school and were less likely to repeat a grade.
The Be There for Your Kids campaign promotes FRED to Colorado fathers every November, however documents for this program remain online throughout the year for agencies and schools that wish to implement the program at a different time. Please click on the following links for more information.
- Program Introductory Letter for Family Service Practitioners and Programs
- 2009 Reading Log
- Pre-program survey
- Post-program survey
Helpful program links:
Read.govExplore new worlds: Read. The Center for the Book in the Library of Congress invites people of all ages to discover the fascinating people, places and events that await you whenever you read.
Fathers and Literacy
How fathers can pass on a love of reading to their children at any age. (PDF File)
National Education Association
This is a list compiled by the National Education Association of the best books for kids. See if one of the books listed becomes your child’s favorite!
Books Featuring Dads (PDF File)
Explore more father/child adventures through the books on this list.
Download PDF
Reading is Fundamental
This site provides valuable tips on how to read with your children and get them to enjoy reading on their own.
New York Public Library
This is another list of great books for kids. Compiled by librarians at the New York Public Library, the list is organized by book genre.
New York Times
Visit this link for a list of the best children's books of 2008.
Book Dads
A site for fathers, or anyone who wants to read with their children and are looking for books with positive representations of fatherhood.
