The top Middlesbrough defender and new dad is calling out to Middlesbrough families to join him in celebrating the fantastic benefits of fathers and children reading together by submitting photos or ‘selfies’ of Dads reading to their children.
Dads who submit a photo and the title of their favourite book to share with their children could be in with a chance of winning exclusive prizes, including a tour of Middlesbrough FC stadium with exclusive access for children and their Dad.
Research by the National Literacy Trust has shown that far fewer dads than mums encourage their children to read. In fact one in three fathers gives no reading encouragement to their children at all. This is concerning as children who are encouraged to read by their parents achieve higher reading levels at school and boys in particular benefit from a male role model who reads.
George Friend says:
"I loved books as a child and I’m really enjoying going through picture books with baby Isobel. At the moment our favourite is Giraffes Can’t Dance by Giles Andreae and I'm looking forward to us discovering new reads together as she gets older.”