The Joy of Reading -- Emirati Fathers' Insights into Shared Reading with Young Children in a Multilingual Context
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| Title: | The Joy of Reading -- Emirati Fathers' Insights into Shared Reading with Young Children in a Multilingual Context |
|---|---|
| Language: | English |
| Authors: | Anna Marie Dillon (ORCID |
| Source: | Journal of Multilingual and Multicultural Development. 2025 46(6):1640-1653. |
| Availability: | Routledge. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 530 Walnut Street Suite 850, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Tel: 215-625-8900; Fax: 215-207-0050; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals |
| Peer Reviewed: | Y |
| Page Count: | 14 |
| Publication Date: | 2025 |
| Document Type: | Journal Articles Reports - Research |
| Descriptors: | Foreign Countries, Fathers, Father Attitudes, Parent Child Relationship, Parent Role, Young Children, Multilingualism, Arabic, English, Parent Participation, Reading Aloud to Others, Parent Workshops, Reading Material Selection, Psychological Patterns |
| Geographic Terms: | United Arab Emirates |
| DOI: | 10.1080/01434632.2024.2413149 |
| ISSN: | 0143-4632 1747-7557 |
| Abstract: | This paper reports findings from a research and development project to support fathers' involvement with their children's literacy development. Eighty Emirati fathers attended workshops about sharing reading with their young children, where they were provided with a variety of children's picture books in both Arabic and English, and reported their experiences of sharing reading in their homes with their young children. In the context of a rapidly evolving United Arab Emirates, the role of fathers is changing within this multilingual society to encompass enhanced engagement with their young children. Emirati fathers reported their experiences via WhatsApp voice-notes and text messages, which offered a naturalistic and culturally appropriate way for them to share their everyday shared reading activities. The overarching takeaway from these responses indicates a sense of their joy at engaging with their children in such volitional shared reading experiences. This leads to a feeling of wellbeing for themselves and their children, as well as a way of being more engaged in child-rearing in this nation which is moving towards more shared spousal responsibilities and more of an emphasis on the importance of connecting with their young children, for not only their children's benefit but also their own. |
| Abstractor: | As Provided |
| Entry Date: | 2026 |
| Accession Number: | EJ1502510 |
| Database: | ERIC |
| Abstract: | This paper reports findings from a research and development project to support fathers' involvement with their children's literacy development. Eighty Emirati fathers attended workshops about sharing reading with their young children, where they were provided with a variety of children's picture books in both Arabic and English, and reported their experiences of sharing reading in their homes with their young children. In the context of a rapidly evolving United Arab Emirates, the role of fathers is changing within this multilingual society to encompass enhanced engagement with their young children. Emirati fathers reported their experiences via WhatsApp voice-notes and text messages, which offered a naturalistic and culturally appropriate way for them to share their everyday shared reading activities. The overarching takeaway from these responses indicates a sense of their joy at engaging with their children in such volitional shared reading experiences. This leads to a feeling of wellbeing for themselves and their children, as well as a way of being more engaged in child-rearing in this nation which is moving towards more shared spousal responsibilities and more of an emphasis on the importance of connecting with their young children, for not only their children's benefit but also their own. |
|---|---|
| ISSN: | 0143-4632 1747-7557 |
| DOI: | 10.1080/01434632.2024.2413149 |
