Program Activities

This 40-minute activity  increase the Dads’ awareness and knowledge of how to identify and express their feelings and emotions appropriately. Can be used alone or in conjunction with “Showing and Handling Feelings” and “Grief and Loss” activities. From the 24/7 Dad curriculum by the National Fatherhood Initiative

This 20-minute activity  helps initiate a discussion on showing and handling feelings and emotions. Can be used alone or in conjunction with “Holding Feelings Inside” and “Grief and Loss” activities.From the 24/7 Dad curriculum by the National Fatherhood Initiative

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A 35-minute activity divides participants into pairs. A “speaker” discusses a problem with a “listener” who secretly was instructed to listen poorly. Group members then assess aspects of poor and good listening, and practice using effective listening skills in a role play. From Fatherhood Development: A Curriculum for…

A 25‒30 minute activity to help participants identify how they were disciplined as children, examine how those experiences affect their parenting style today, and begin a conversation about effective alternatives to hitting as a means of correcting children’s behavior. From …

A 45-minute activity that involves teams of fathers competing to answer questions about child development. Designed to increase or reinforce participants’ knowledge of child development from birth through adolescence.

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Time: 45 minutes.…

Short activity designed to show what real manhood is not and to explore the qualities of a real man.From Quenching the Father Thirst: Developing a Dad by the National Center for Fathering.

Materials

In this 30‒45 minute activity, men identify the values, behaviors, and characteristics they want to nurture in their children by bidding in an “auction” of attributes that they value in children.From Fatherhood Development: A Curriculum for Young Fathers by Public/Private Ventures.

Materials

In this 15-minute activity, participants assume the role of "children," who must negotiate an obstacle course blindfolded, or "parents," who must lead the "children" safely through the course. The activity reminds participants of the feelings of dependence children can have and the responsibilities that this dependence…

Values Voting can be used as a 20-minute icebreaker or a 40-minute program activity. Participants choose to agree or disagree with controversial statements and then defend their positions. In the full activity, participants are encouraged to explore their personal values and reflect on their position as a role model for…

This 70-90 minute activity enables participants to reflect on their past and current experiences as sons, men, and fathers, and offers the opportunity for peer support as they talk about these experiences. From The Responsible Fatherhood…