Family

Family

Families are central to each child's world, from the moment they are born. As children grow up, their family becomes part of their identity. Exploring families as an interest topic is a great way to engage children and connect with something they love deeply.

Remember, children can have many different people in their family: mums, dads, parents and carers, grandparents, new babies, siblings, cousins, aunties, uncles, and pets. Some much-loved family members won't fall into any of these categories. 

The topic of families can be warm and wonderful, but it can also be challenging. Children may ask difficult questions about sex, poverty, gender, marriage, death, divorce, and family violence. Also, early childhood educators may be hesitant to talk with some families about this topic (e.g. how do you ask for family photos when you know a couple are currently separating?).

Be aware of the challenges, but embrace them. They offer unique and important learning opportunities that connect directly to the curriculum. Read about a project on Mardi Gras that was successfully conducted at a long day care centre.

NQS and EYLF learning outcomes

Quality Area 6 under the National Quality Standard recognises families as fundamental to achieving quality outcomes for children. The concept of family is also woven throughout the Early Years Learning Framework.

Families are essential for children to:

  • feel safe, secure and supported (1.1)
  • develop confident self identities (1.3)
  • have social and emotional wellbeing (3.1).

Belonging to a family is being part of a group (2.1). When children see family members love each other, they learn about care, empathy and respect (1.4). And, as all families are different, children learn respect for diversity (2.2).

Children benefit when educators form partnerships with families. When children learn the same things in care and at home, they transfer and adapt what they have learned from one context to another (4.3).

Learning experiences

Record family members on a graph

Show children how all families are different. As a group, record the number of people in each child's family on a graph. You could glue identical objects (e.g. bottle caps or squares of cardboard) in columns to represent each family member. Talk to children about the height of the columns, count the number of family members in each column, and see how families can be of different sizes.

Showcase family pictures

  • Create a family photo wall, displayed at children's eye level.
  • Create a family book with a page for each child to draw and describe their family. Add it to your bookshelf.
  • Cut out small photos of individual family members. Hide them in the classroom (or in a large tub of rice or pebbles) for the children to find.
  • Print large family photos and turn them into jigsaw puzzles for each child. 
  • Attach photos of family members to building blocks. Now children can build a family tower.
  • Help children make and decorate paper dolls to represent each person in their family.

Role play families

Playing "mums and dads" is a well-recognised game in early childhood. Educators can help children in their play by:

  • expanding or creating a home corner (add in interesting items like old typewriters, vases, cooking equipment, walking sticks, adult-sized clothing and accessories, and baby toys)
  • letting the children make the rules about how their family looks and behaves 
  • helping children with difficult tasks, like tying aprons and dressing dolls.

Learning environments

Promote diverse families

Audit your books, puzzles and resources. Are the images of families diverse? How are complex and changing families represented within your centre? Are your children's families and their cultures represented authentically?

Create a family corner

Transform an unused space into a family corner, a small, comfortable space for family members to sit with their child and talk about their day. Add books to read together and interesting objects as conversation starters.

Family and community connections

Encourage external family events

External social events can be organised by your families, as a way for families to meet each other in a relaxed environment.

  • Families get together at a local venue for a relaxed meal (with or without children).
  • Families meet at a playground on the weekend.
  • Families organise outings together, like concerts, shows or museums.

Interactions

Be respectful

Be considerate of the language you use when talking about specific families in front of children. Even if you have a different opinion to a family member, be respectful.

Routines

Eat a meal together

Invite family members to share lunch or a snack with the children. Invite everyone on a special family day or ask individual family members to drop in when it suits them. Many centres have open door policies that are not used - make families feel welcome!

Schedule time for siblings

Plan regular times for brothers, sisters and cousins to play together each week. Plan these sessions with intention so the children's relationships grow from the experience. Describe this as "family time" to send the message that families are valued.

Events

National Families Week is held in Australia between 15th and 21st May. This week coincides with the United Nations International Day of Families on 15th May.

Discussions

  • Talk about the different people that may be in a family. Who is in your family? How do families look different?
  • What makes a family? Family are the people who love us the most.
  • Ask children how families make them feel. What does belonging look and feel like?
  • What can families do together?
  • Tell children stories about your own family.

Reflections

  • How can educators help strengthen the relationships between children and their family members?
  • Do all family members feel welcome and comfortable? Is your environment too child-centred?
  • What are the obstacles for family participation in your educational program?
  • Are parents' views respected, even if they are different to your own?

Resources

Picture books

  • Love Makes a Family by Sophie Beer

  • Families by Jane Godwin and Yael Frankel

An action rhyme about families

Some families are large (spread hands wide).
Some families are small (bring hands close together).
But I love my family best of all (cross arms over chest).

Music

Videos

Websites