Fathers, father figures and grandfathers are invited to attend a Fatherhood Field Day with their children on Wednesday (April 16).

An evening of fun and learning, Fatherhood Field Day will be held in the Skyview Elementary gymnasium from 6-7:30 p.m. Activities are intended for children kindergarten through second grade.

Fathers and their children can work through several stations at which they can play games designed to foster early developmental learning skills such as recognition, spelling and arithmetic. The event is part of a West Virginia University Extension Service program inspired by the National Fatherhood Initiative.

“This day is designed to inform fathers of the importance of their presence in their child’s life,” said WVU Extension Agent for Family and Health Eric Murphy. “The Fatherhood Field Day will share with fathers that the way they play with their children has an important impact on a child’s emotional and social development. Our hope is that this program will convey to fathers that their interaction with their children impacts every facet of their child’s development.”

The field day will include physical activities, a read aloud and cooperative and developmental games. Each activity will show fathers fun and engaging ways to teach their children.

College of Education and Human Services Clinical Assistant Professor Bernard Jones will be hosting a Twister station that will teach children to identify and spell the names of colors.

“The Department of Special Education is happy to be part of an initiative that ensures that those early developmental skill are being addressed at home through normal play times or even scheduled play times,” said Jones.

Each child in attendance will receive a free book and there will be a raffle for a PlayStation 2 gaming system. The event is sponsored by the College of Education and Human Services Department of Special Education, WVU Extension Service, Monongalia Head Start and local nonprofit organization The Shack.

For more information, please contact Christie Zachary at (304) 293-0224 or Christie.Zachary@mail.wvu.edu.

-WVU-

cz/04/10/14

CONTACT: Christie Zachary, College of Education and Human Services
304.293.0224, Christie.Zachary@mail.wvu.edu

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