Paisley dads are being encouraged to invest in quality time with their tots as David Van Zanten, player with SPL team St Mirren FC lent his support to the Scottish Government's ‘Play Talk Read' campaign, urging them to have fun from day one.

The national Play, Talk, Read (www.playtalkread.org) campaign champions quality interaction with under threes through easy, fun and inexpensive activities. It provides parents with vital tools to help them stimulate their babies and young children (0-3) and give them the best possible start in life.

The SPL Trust is backing the campaign after recent research* found that over half of Scottish dads worry that they don't spend enough time playing, talking or reading with their children. It also showed that work pressures were more likely to be mentioned by dads (49%) as a factor in playing, talking or reading compared with just 21% of mums.

By sharing his stories of the fun he has with his 3 year old Grace and 6 year old Megan, David hopes to remind Paisley dads that it doesn't have to be expensive toys or costly days out. He said: "It's quality time and attention that really counts with our wee-ones. By simply playing, talking and reading with them more often we can give them the best start in life. That's why I'm calling on dads throughout Paisley to have fun from day one!

Crucial research that underpins the Play, Talk, Read campaign has shown that young children who are given the strongest foundations will perform better at school, develop better social skills and will grow into healthier adults.

Adam Ingram Minister for Children and Early years said: "It's important to help dads understand that it's quality time and attention that makes all the difference. So that they can play and have fun with their young children without worrying about how often they do it and whether they're doing it right.

"It's therefore great to have the SPL Trust supporting our campaign to help show dads that it's the simple things that have a big impact - whether it's singing songs together or pulling funny faces - dads can rest assured they are doing the best they can to give their kids the best possible start in life."

Case study: David Van Zanten
"I love the responsibility of being a parent and take great pleasure in being a role model for my two girls. It's great to watch their individual personalities develop and I'm always amazed at how quickly they grow.

"We always have great fun together and I'm lucky that my hours are short so I have lots of free time to spend with them. Dinner time and bedtime are always special - they love playing a game of hide and seek before they go to their beds, which is not only fun but tires them out too!

"I think it's really important to encourage them to get outside and play in the fresh air. We live in a family-orientated street where all the children play together so I'm often out there too playing silly games with the girls and our neighbours. Often we will take a walk to the park with the dog and have some fun on the swings.

"Unfortunately neither of them shows much interest in football! They love painting, drawing and baking, so I'm more than happy getting stuck into these activities with them too. We have a laugh getting messy."

Some more playtime ideas for dads:

1. Messy play - Why not encourage your child to play with things that they can get their hands into? Fill up a bowl with sand or water and let them enjoy the different textures.
2. Make some noise! - Children love noise so why not collect all your empty washing up bottles in the house and make them in to musical instruments? Fill up an empty washing up liquid bottle with dry pasta and let them shake it!
3. Create an adventure in the park - Take your child on a nature trail around the park, listing items (leaves, twigs, stones) for them to find and collect along the way. Once all the items are collected, take them home and use them to make creative pictures!
4. Sing and dance - Singing and dancing is a great way to engage children. Put some music on or sing a nursery rhyme, or dance along to the radio with your little one to help develop their concentration and coordination.
5. Playing peek-a-boo - Hide and seek is a fun game for children that encourages your child to use their imagination as well as developing their concentration skills.
6. Read your matchday programme or your newspaper footy pages - Something visually stimulating with lots of pictures will help teach your child to associate pictures with the words.

For more play ideas, hints and tips on how to keep your little ones stimulated and to find some interactive fun, please visit www.playtalkread.org