FATHERS DAY: UNICEF URGE FATHERS TO BE SUPPORTIVE IN CHILDREN EARLY EDUCATION

The United Nations International Children Emergency Fund (UNICEF) has charged fathers with the responsibility of teaching their children to read and write.

In a statement released recently by the body’s office in New York, fathers were said not to be paying attention to their children’s education. UNICEF further said fathers don’t play or engage in early learning with their children.

In a statement released to commemorate fathers day celebration on June 18,  UNICEF Communication Specialist, Ms. Georgina Thompson said research analysis revealed that 55 percent of an approximate count of 40 million children between ages 3 and 4 were affected.

UNICEF Director of data collection research and policy Ms. Laurence Chandy in a statement also said the statistics showed that some large number of fathers were struggling to play an active role in their children’s study most especially in their early years.

 She said.

“We must break down the barriers that prevent fathers from providing their babies and young children a conducive environment for them to thrive, including love, play, protection and nutritious food. We must ensure that all parents have the time, resources and knowledge they need to fully support their children’s early development,’’

Lawrence Chandy further appeals with governments all across the nation and to private sectors to increase early childhood education stating that such programmes should provide parents with resources and information needed to take care of their children.

“Advances in neuroscience have proven that when children spend their earliest years in a nurturing, stimulating environment, new neural connections can form at a once-in-a-lifetime speed of 1,000 per second. “These connections help determine their health, ability to learn and deal with stress and even influence their earning capacity as adults.

She finally concludes.

“Also, when children positively interact with their fathers, they have better psychological health, self-esteem and life satisfaction in the long-term,’’

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