All Pro Dad helps dads, kids learn together

BLOOMINGTON (AP) – A dad's work is never done.

Three weeks after the birth of his second son, Marshall, David LaFrance spent his Valentine's Day morning at the office, though he put in a different kind of work.

LaFrance, principal of Oakland Elementary School, and his 4-year-old son, Jackson, joined seven adults and 10 children in the school cafeteria for the latest local session of All Pro Dad, a national program that encourages kids and their paternal role models to spend time together and learn.

"It's for all kinds – (from) dads that don't know how to engage with their kids to the world's best dad," said Joe Brosseau, captain of the local chapter. "We (as dads) can get busy and forget to spend quality time with our kids, but this is a reminder, and every little bit helps."

LaFrance volunteered to host the program after Brosseau pitched it to Bloomington's District 87 schools – "it was obvious to me how much this is needed," LaFrance said – but it's open to any local dad and their kids, male or female.

Brosseau said response has been encouraging. After attracting about 75 attendees for the first session, All Pro Dad has steadily drawn about 45, although the Feb. 14 session's attendance was much smaller due to Valentine's Day.

"Our pitch for today was, 'Spend some time with the kids outside the house and stop at the store for flowers and candy on the way home,'" Brosseau said with a laugh.

Like every month, the session – Oakland's fourth – started with a breakfast prepared by volunteers and dads telling the group why they're proud of their kids. The group gave reasons such as their kids doing well in school, finishing chores without being asked and going the extra mile to help out while mom is laid up after surgery.

"Kids don't get that kind of affirmation (from their dads) very much, especially not in public," Brosseau said. "It's an easy way to strengthen that relationship."

The fourth session's lesson was on creativity. Dads and kids talked to each other about how they show creativity, watched a video from Honda that visualized the creativity kids show when they play with toy vehicles and got a homework assignment to be creative in the next month.

As usual, the morning ended with a competition – this time a relay in which teams passed off jelly beans to move them from one bowl to another – and free play time in the Oakland gym.

"It's neat to reinforce to them how important it is to use their imagination," said Mike Sommer, who brought 6-year-old Ella and 4-year-old Abby. "It's fun to try new things with them."

Sommer said the session was his second. He found out about All Pro Dad because he's a member of Evangelical Free Church, which employs Brosseau as pastor of children and families and helps fund the program.

Brosseau, who brought his two of his four kids – 8-year-old Eli and 5-year-old Levi – said he also contacted Normal-based McLean County Unit 5 about hosting an "All Pro Dad" chapter, and he has great expectations for expansion. In the meantime, Oakland will continue to host sessions at 9 a.m. on the second Saturday of each month until May.

"There are enough kids and dads in Bloomington-Normal to have a chapter at every school," Brosseau said. "That's my dream."