INVOLVED: Kyp Kypri plays at home with daughter Bonita, 4. – Picture by Ryan Osland
DAD Kyp Kypri and four-year-old daughter Bonita play just about every day.
Whether it’s a frolicsome wrestle on the trampoline, or a little tickle while putting on pyjamas, the Adamstown Heights residents have fun with a bit of rough and tumble.
Such interactions between fathers and their four-year-olds are the subject of a new University of Newcastle study.
The health faculty’s Family Action Centre senior lecturer Richard Fletcher is the pilot project’s chief investigator.
‘‘We know that fathers play a lot of physical games with children,’’ he said.
There was evidence that physically activity helped with development.
‘‘ What we don’t know is what it is about the play that helps physical development,’’ Dr Fletcher said.
Participants are sought for the study.
‘‘We are looking for fathers around Newcastle who have a four-year-old who would allow us to come to their house and film them while they play a set of games, and their children play a set of games with the researcher,’’ he said.
Dr Fletcher said mothers played physically with their children but it was more common among fathers, so the research was starting with dads.
‘‘We know between three and five, children make this crucial development step where they become able to plan what they do and direct their movements, instead of re-acting and relying on adults,’’ Dr Fletcher said.
Mr Kypri is eager to be involved.
‘‘I’m very interested in the idea that the way fathers play with their children matters a great deal for the children’s development,’’ he said.
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