In 2007 my daughter Amber entered preschool. She had some challenges adapting to her new environment, so I made the decision to come and read to her class every week. I have been reading to Amber’s class ever since and this year I also began reading to my daughter Lydia's preschool class. Twice a week I take 20 minutes out of my day to show my daughters that they are important enough for me to giv
e them my most precious gift, my time. As fathers we have so few chances to make lasting memories with our kids. I can testify that time with children in the classroom is unique. I don't know why, but somehow time with my girls in their class is more valuable, more significant. I believe it is because they know I am there just for them; there is no other reason I would be there. I treasure my time with my girls and have forever improved my relationship with them as I am greeted weekly with their proud eyes and wide smiles. I can also tell which kids in my daughter's class don't have dads at home. It is extra rewarding to be considered their friend as I see their eyes light up, sometimes even more than those of my own children. Storytelling has been around much longer then iPods and Play Stations. I believe it must have been our first form of entertainment. Storytelling is simple and pure. Children have an innate passion for stories. Stories create a magic and sense of wonder at the worlds they allow us to enter. Stories teach us about ourselves, about other cultures, and about life. I have been inspired to create an organization that allows elementary schools nationally to organize the untapped resources of fathers in the community. The organization is called Fathers Are Needed (FAN), or The FAN Club. The mission of The FAN club is to get fathers to read to their children in the classroom. FAN members will also be notified of school events that need extra hands. If your school already has registered with Fathers Are Needed, I hope you will become a FAN member of that local chapter. If you are the first father in your school to come across this opportunity, I hope you will consider registering your school and becoming the founding member of your school’s FAN Club. My goal for entering the classroom has been just to be present, to be involved, and to tell my girls that I love them with my time. I hope you too will choose to become your child's biggest FAN.
