Read to me, Daddy: New program encourages dads, father figures to read to their children

By 9 a.m. Feb. 28, a large room at the Northwest Montana Head Start in Kalispell was bustling with energetic children and their dads. Chairs were set up in pairs, tumbling mats and fleece blankets were laid out on the floor and brand new books were ready to be handed out.

The scene was set for “Read to Me, Daddy,” a new program that encourages dads or other father figures to read to their children.

“We buy the books and each family takes one home to start their own libraries,” Northwest Montana Head Start Education Manager Marcy Otten said.

This is the second session of the new program and is proving successful. Limited to 24 Head Start fathers, both sessions have filled up quickly.

After taking adventures through books, participants are invited to go on field trips based on the books.

“We’ll have three events this year and we’re hoping to do more,” Otten said. “In May we’ll read ‘Just Me and My Dad,’ a book about fishing, and then we’ll go to the fish hatchery.”

Through the nurturing experience of a parent reading to a child, children develop skills that prepare them for kindergarten, according to Otten.

On Feb. 28, participants traveled on a journey in the world of Dr. Seuss by reading “Oh, the Places You Will Go,” then ventured to Glacier Jet Center. The program is not just for dads, but includes grandfathers, uncles or family friends. Five-year-old Tianna Victor was with her grandfather, Russ Coen, both of Kalispell. Tianna jumped onto her grandfather’s lap. “Now there’s no talking, no giggling, jiggling or fun of any kind,” Coen teased his granddaughter before kissing her on the head. Tianna enthused about last week’s program where they read a book about bowling and played a game at a bowling alley afterward. “She scored 108,” Coen said. “Can you bowl 108?” Before reading time, the children were called over into a line to do crafts in another classroom while the men receive guidance from Head Start volunteer Michael Renaud on reading out loud to children, asking open-ended questions, pointing out colors and shapes in illustrations.

“Dr. Seuss is great with cadence, with meter,” Renaud said. Renaud has several years of experience as a literacy volunteer. He greeted returning and new participants.

“I think this is a really incredible program where we use the written word to make connections,” Renaud said before inviting them to pick up a copy of “Oh the Places You Will Go,” along with pens to write dedications to their children. Renaud then read the book aloud to model the cadence of the story.

He pointed out multiple references to hands and feet in the book. “Touch the head, touch the feet of the little ones to make connections with words,” he said. “Dads, take some time here and leaf through the pages.” Not long after, the children boisterously filed into the room donning or holding hats they made, some in the style of the “Cat in the Hat.”

The volume in the room quickly increased with the sound of men reading.

Tianna spread out her fleece blanket and laid next to her grandfather. Resting her chin in her palm, Tianna leaned in, gazing at the colorful illustrations. The fleece blankets are given to the children and have a purpose beyond cozying up to a good book.

“At home when they have the blanket indicates they want to spend time reading together,” Otten said.

Across the room, David Gonzales read to his daughter, 3-year-old Baylee Ekern. Sitting cross-legged, Baylee animatedly pointed to pictures and looked up at her dad inquisitively, a smile never leaving her face. Although Baylee doesn’t live with her father full time, Gonzales said wants the time spent together to be meaningful.

“It’s complicated, but I try to dedicate all my time that I can with my daughter,” Gonzales said, looking over at his daughter with a broad smile.

Earlier, Renaud had told the fathers how impressed he was, particularly citing young fathers, to see the willingness of devoting a Saturday morning to interact with their children through reading.

“I think this is the most important thing that we do. Everybody’s got stuff going on in their lives — sometimes messy stuff. This is an opportunity for a few hours to take a deep breath, set that stuff aside, and make a connection that will be lasting, be eternal, and probably will be the most important thing we do.”

For more information, or to make donations of new books or blankets, call 752-7011 or go to www.nwmtheadstart. org.

Reporter Hilary Matheson may be reached at 758-4431 or by email at hmatheson@dailyinterlake.com.