Can Dads do Messy Play too?

Dad – we want you! Father’s day is fast approaching, and what a fabulous opportunity to celebrate those special grown ups in our lives! Whether it be dad, step-dad, uncle, granddad, godfather, they all make such a difference in our lives.

Here at Little Learners Longfield & Sevenoaks, we absolutely adore meeting our little one’s daddies! It’s not often they get to come to class, so when they do it’s always so lovely to see the interactions between them and their children. I always find it intriguing how differently they behave when it’s not just mum that’s at class with them!

I also know it can be daunting going to baby and toddler groups, especially since the other parents/carers there are predominantly women, so here are my handy tips for encouraging dad to join in the fun at Little Learners!

Tips for Dad!

• Try coming with mum on the first couple of occasions, messy play is a great bonding experience for the family!
• Try coming to a weekend class, you’re much more likely to find a fellow dad so you’re less likely to feel like the odd one out!
• Coming to a class, even if its just once a month is worth it, you may learn something new about your child or have a moment with them that changes your interactions with them for the better. You also won’t feel like you miss out on so much!
• Baby and toddler groups become a lot less daunting once you’ve actually been to one or seen one, you could check out our YouTube channel Little Learners – YouTube and watch the online sessions we ran during lockdown to see what we’re all about.
• Try some messy play at home first – we even have a Father’s Day Card Activity you can download for FREE!

All that being said, when daddy does come to class, they tend to get very involved! I’ve caught dads sitting and colouring in by themselves when their child has wandered off to another tray, I’ve seen dads make balls out of crazy foam and juggle with them and I’ve seen the best painty hi-fives!

I really hope that you find that helpful, and I hope to see you and your little one in class soon!