Early years Early years

News, policy, research and practice articles of relevance for professionals working within early years services, such as Health Visiting, Sure Starts and Family Centres, with a focus on engaging successfully with fathers in those settings.

The Myth of Invisible Men: fathers who kill or injure their babies
FI research » Early years
Practice » Early years
Blog » Early years
15 September 2021
“You are the first person who has ever wanted to know what actually happened, what I went through. No one has ever asked me before….no one has ever bothered with me – you are the first person that has ever sat down and asked me my story.”Quote from a man convicted of killing a baby, interviewed as part of the Child Safeguarding Practice Review Panel’s review of non-accidental injury of infants by male caregivers, ‘The Myth of Invisible Men’ The UK’s Child Safeguarding Practice Review Panel’s in-depth and hard-hitting report, The Myth of Invisible Men, published today (16 September 2021) shines a light on the rare but tragic phenomenon of fathers and father-figures who kill or injure babies (not by accident). 
Revealing fathers’ impact on their children’s learning and development: our new study
FI research » Early years
Blog » Early years
17 June 2021
As we celebrate Father’s Day 2021, what do we know about fathers’ role in supporting their children’s learning and development – and what else would we like to find out? 
Fatherhood Institute Research Summary: FATHERS AND POSTNATAL DEPRESSION
FI research » Early years
10 September 2018
Messages from Research – updated August 2010 1. The father’s role in mothers’ depression The evidence that impaired postnatal maternal mental health has adverse effects on the infant socially, emotionally, behaviourally and cognitively is extensive (e.g. 
Blog: Men don’t feel welcome in early childhood. Here’s how to change that
Policy » Early years
Practice » Early years
Blog » Early years
27 June 2018
This article was originally published by Apolitical, and can be found here. Christian, a preschool teacher in Tromsø, Norway, has worked in early childhood education for a decade. 
How can we attract more men into the Early Years workforce?
FI research » Early years
Practice » Early years
13 September 2017
How can we attract more men into London’s Early Years workforce? is a new #MITEY report we are publishing to help early childhood education providers (such as children’s centres and nurseries) in the capital – and beyond – address the lack of men in their workforce. 
Help us get more #DadsReading with their children this Father’s Day
27 May 2016
Fathers Reading Every Day is a really simple programme that encourages dads to read with their children at home.