Dad, How do I?
"Dad, How Do I?" was created by Rob Kenney, who grew up with a desire to provide practical, fatherly advice to those who may lack a guiding figure in their lives. This initiative was driven by his own experience of his father leaving when he was just 12 years old, leaving him without a father figure during critical developmental years. Rob’s vision was to fill this gap for others, offering guidance on everyday tasks and nurturing life skills through accessible online content. This personal drive and relatable backstory resonate with many, providing a strong foundation of trust and reliability.
Differentiation: What Makes It Special What sets "Dad, How Do I?" apart is its origin and intent—providing a paternal figure’s guidance virtually, which many life skills programs do not focus on. Rob Kenney’s role as a surrogate online dad fills a unique niche, offering both emotional support and practical advice. This approach is not commonly found in other programs that may focus solely on the instructional aspect without the personal, fatherly care that Rob imbues in his content.
How to Get Started To begin using "Dad, How Do I?" in a homeschool setting, simply access the series on YouTube where Rob uploads various instructional videos. These cover a range of topics from basic household repairs to fundamental life skills. The program is designed to be easily accessible, requiring no prior setup or materials, making it ideal for busy homeschooling families looking for flexible learning resources.
How It Works "Dad, How Do I?" is primarily a self-led curriculum where students can choose videos that match their interest or skill gaps. Each video is concise, usually ranging from 5 to 15 minutes, allowing for integration into daily homeschool schedules easily. Families can allocate around 30 minutes to an hour each week to engage with multiple videos, promoting self-reliance and practical skills. The format is open and go, with no preparatory work needed, and is primarily independent, though parents can facilitate discussions or practice sessions based on the videos.
Educational Content and Foreign Languages Included
Basic Home Maintenance (e.g., fixing a leaky faucet)
Car Maintenance (e.g., changing a tire)
Financial Literacy (e.g., budgeting and checking accounts)
Personal Care (e.g., shaving)
Cooking Basics (e.g., cooking eggs)
What’s Good About It Users praise the genuine and caring approach Rob Kenney brings to each tutorial. His clear, step-by-step explanations make learning new skills approachable and digestible. The emotional resonance of having a fatherly figure providing guidance is frequently highlighted in positive reviews, with many appreciating the supportive and encouraging tone of the videos.
What Could Be Improved While the program excels in delivering fatherly advice, some users note the scope of topics could be broader. There is also feedback that while the videos are great for visual and auditory learners, additional resources like written instructions or diagrams could enhance learning, particularly for complex tasks.
Advice from Parents Parents recommend using "Dad, How Do I?" as a supplement to practical education, encouraging their children to not only watch the videos but also put the skills into practice. This hands-on approach helps solidify the learning and gives children a sense of accomplishment. It’s also suggested to let children identify which skills they're interested in learning to keep them engaged and motivated.
Who It’s an Ideal Fit For This program is ideal for homeschoolers looking for practical life skills training from a nurturing perspective. It’s particularly beneficial for students who thrive on visual learning and personal guidance. Families seeking to instill independence and practical skills in their children will find this program especially valuable.
Who It’s Probably Not a Fit For Students who require highly structured, traditional educational environments might find the format too informal. Those who need in-depth, technical instruction beyond basic tasks may need to look for supplementary resources.
Grades Appropriate for middle school and high school students, typically grades 6-12.
Cost The "Dad, How Do I?" videos are available free of charge on YouTube, making it a cost-effective resource for homeschooling families.
Ways to Get It Access the "Dad, How Do I?" videos directly from Rob Kenney's YouTube channel, easily searchable and available at any time for streaming.
This review paints a comprehensive picture of "Dad, How Do I?" as a valuable tool for imparting life skills in a homeschool setting, backed by a compelling narrative and a heartfelt delivery that sets it apart from other educational resources.
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