Dads improve language outcomes

A Centre for Community Child Health study has shown the impact of fathers on children’s language development.

The study found that fathers who read to their children at home at two years had improved language development, but not emergent literacy skills, at four years. This remained even after accounting for the mother’s home reading and socioeconomic disadvantage.

Lead author Dr Jon Quach said the research filled the blank pages on the role of fathers in supporting the language development of children.

“Maternal shared reading practices do predict literacy, but fathers’ contributions were previously less certain,” he said. “The findings also further support the importance of reading to children from an early age, by all adults in the child’s life.”

For more information on the study, visit the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute.

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