Blokes can do it as well

Wednesday 23 March 2005

Only about 1.5% of all early childhood workers are male, so a community worker from the University of Newcastle is using the slogan Blokes can do it as well to reduce the barriers to men's involvement in early childhood.

Craig d'Arcy from the Engaging Fathers Project says that some of the barriers to men's involvement in early childhood include community attitudes, child protection concerns, low pay and that caring for and educating young children is not seen as men's work.

Craig will be speaking about the positives and strengths that not only male early childhood workers but fathers can bring to early childhood education at the University of Newcastle's 4th Biennial Working with Boys Building Fine Men conference next month.

"Dads too have something to offer early childhood education apart from building sandpits and sitting on committees," says Craig.

"Our research shows that their presence directly supports the learning environment for children, so it's important that we continue to develop ways to bring men in to early education."

"One of the important issues facing parents and childcare professionals is what will work best for boys."

"We have found that father involvement and males working in early childhood services are important for boys to develop a positive sense of male identity as they grow."

"Our research has shown boys behave and perform better when they have a strong male influence from their early childhood years," says Craig.

The latest research on boys in schools will be presented at the University of Newcastle's 4th Biennial Conference Working with Boys Building Fine Men to be held from Sunday 3 April - Tuesday 5 April 2005 at the Melbourne Convention Centre.

For media interviews: Craig d'Arcy on (02) 4921 7224.

For conference information or interviews contact Deborah Hartman on (02) 4921 6749 or visit: http://www.pco.com.au/boys2005/