Stephen Craigan has called on dads throughout Motherwell and Lanarkshire to have fun from day one.
The Steelmen skipper is encouraging dads to invest in quality time with their tots as Motherwell FC lends its support to the Scottish Government’s ‘Play Talk Read’ campaign.
The national Play, Talk, Read (www.playtalkread.org) campaign champions quality interaction with under-threes through easy, fun and inexpensive activities. It provides parents with vital tools to help them stimulate their babies and young children (0-3) and give them the best possible start in life.
The SPL Trust is backing the campaign after recent research* found that over half of Scottish dads worry that they don’t spend enough time playing, talking or reading with their children. It also showed that work pressures were more likely to be mentioned by dads (49%) as a factor in playing, talking or reading compared with just 21% of mums.
By sharing his stories of the fun he has with Chloe, Stephen hopes to remind Motherwell dads that it doesn’t have to be expensive toys or costly days out. Stephen said: “its quality time and attention that really counts with our wee-ones. By simply playing, talking and reading with them more often we can give them the best start in life. That’s why I’m calling on dads throughout Motherwell to have fun from day one!
Crucial research that underpins the Play, Talk, Read campaign has shown that young children who are given the strongest foundations will perform better at school, develop better social skills and will grow into healthier adults.
Adam Ingram Minister for Children and Early years said: “It’s important to help dads understand that it’s quality time and attention that makes all the difference. So that they can play and have fun with their young children without worrying about how often they do it and whether they’re doing it right.
“It’s therefore great to have the SPL Trust supporting our campaign to help show dads that it’s the simple things that have a big impact – whether it’s singing songs together or pulling funny faces – dads can rest assured they are doing the best they can to give their kids the best possible start in life.”
Case study: Stephen Craigan Motherwell FC
Stephen is dad to his 14 months old daughter Chloe; “I love watching Chloe learn and find new things every day. I’m fascinated at how quickly kids progress and how clever they are. Watching my own child progressing and trying to guide her as best I can is a special feeling and brings me so much joy.
”I normally get time first thing in the morning with my daughter and we have breakfast together which can be messy but is great fun! Being in the job I’m in means I get to be home early in the afternoon too, so I get to see her before dinner and before she gets her bath and ready for bed. I count myself lucky that I get to see as much of her growing up as I do. It’s brilliant.
”My daughter loves the water so we go swimming when we can. We also live near a play park so when the weather is suitable we like to go to there. She loves the different surroundings and giving her as many new experiences as possible is good for her.
“As most parents I like to act silly and run about with her in tow, normally laughing and shouting. We acquired a plastic ball over the last couple of days and she loves picking the ball up, dropping it and watching it bounce around – small things bring so much satisfaction to her, and me!
”I try to make sure Chloe gets outside as much as possible, swimming and the park are what we do most. I think it’s important that she gets out for a walk to get some fresh air and free space so she can run and feel free.
”Like most children, it’s the odd things like clothes pegs, empty plastic bottles and stuff that they like to play with. It’s fun to pass these to each other, hide them and kick them between us so I can join in with her.
”Her favourite songs are those from the cartoons we watch and I now know the words too! There are a few that get her dancing and she tries to join in while jumping around. She also likes to join in with ‘Twinkle Twinkle Little Star’ and she recently learned ‘Roll Your Boben Up’ too. Showing friends and family what she can do even at such a young age brings a smile to my face.”
Some more playtime ideas for dads:
1. Messy play – Why not encourage your child to play with things that they can get their hands into? Fill up a bowl with sand or water and let them enjoy the different textures.
2. Make some noise! – Children love noise so why not collect all your empty washing up bottles in the house and make them in to musical instruments? Fill up an empty washing up liquid bottle with dry pasta and let them shake it!
3. Create an adventure in the park – Take your child on a nature trail around the park, listing items (leaves, twigs, stones) for them to find and collect along the way. Once all the items are collected, take them home and use them to make creative pictures!
4. Sing and dance – Singing and dancing is a great way to engage children. Put some music on or sing a nursery rhyme, or dance along to the radio with your little one to help develop their concentration and coordination.
5. Playing peek-a-boo – Hide and seek is a fun game for children that encourages your child to use their imagination as well as developing their concentration skills.
6. Read your matchday programme or your newspaper footy pages – Something visually stimulating with lots of pictures will help teach your child to associate pictures with the words.
For more play ideas, hints and tips on how to keep your little ones stimulated and to find some interactive fun, please visit www.playtalkread.org.
*Research by Progressive Partnership 2009
