Family Resource Unit for Preschool By Barb Holmgren

Table of Contents Introduction n State Content Standards Objectives n Content n Lesson Objectives & Activities n Vocabulary n Evaluation n Instructional Resources n

Introduction This resource unit is designed to help children learn about families. By exploring different aspects of their own families and sharing with others, the children will learn about some of the similarities and differences in family structures, homes, work, and foods.

Objectives: State Content Standards n n Develop a sense of belonging to different groups (e. g. , family, groups of friends, preschool class, boys or girls). Describe and represent the inside and outside of familiar environments such as home and school (e. g. , playground). Gain information through participation in experiences with objects, media, books and engaging in conversations with peers. Represent ideas through multiple forms of language and expression (e. g. , drawing, dramatic play, conversation, art media, music, movement, emergent writing).

Content Objective: To foster and affirm the children’s sense of belonging to and knowledge of their own families while promoting awareness of cultural similarities and differences. The children will have various opportunities to learn about their own families and the families of their peers. They will participate in music, art, and drama activities to support their learning.

Lesson 1 Objective: To learn about similarities and differences in family groups. n n Make a family bulletin board. Have each child bring in a photograph or draw a picture of their family. Label the photo or drawing with names and family relationships. In the block area or doll house area have multi-ethnic play figures available for the children to use in their play. During supported play, encourage the children to represent a number of different family groups. Make a class book about “Our families”. Have a page for each child with a photograph or drawing. Tell about the child’s family. Ex: This is Brenna’s family. She lives with her mom, grandma, and brother. Read children’s books representing many different families. Include multi-ethnic and interracial books routinely.

Lesson 2 Objective: To learn about similarities and differences in family homes. n n n During circle time, share photographs of different homes in your community. Make sure that you have a photo representing each child’s situation. Talk about different types of homes. Encourage the children to describe their homes. Using magazines, photographs, and real estate advertisements have the children make a home collage. Have each child paint a picture of their home. Write a caption telling what the child says about their picture.

Lesson 3 Objective: To learn about similarities and differences in what families eat. n Ask the parents to provide a list of favorite family foods. n Once a week, have the children help prepare a favorite family food. Include foods eaten by every child’s family. Choose a variety of foods including meats, fruits, and vegetables. Parent volunteers might like to help with this activity. n Encourage the children to try new foods. Teach children how to decline new foods politely.

Lesson 4 Objective: To learn about similarities and differences in the work that family members do. n Children need to understand that work is what family members do to take care of people and the house. With the children, make a list of all the different kinds of work that family members do. n Make a book about work that includes photographs or magazine pictures representing each job. n During playtime, have materials available so that the children can act out the jobs that they have been talking about.

Vocabulary family relationship words: mom, dad, aunt, grandma, etc. home tall short country city work food words as needed

Evaluation Teacher observation and anecdotal logs should be used to document progress. During circle activities, a checklist can be used to evaluate comprehension of vocabulary and concepts. Use the camera to help document play interactions. (Ex: Take pictures of children acting out different types of work. ) Related art projects may be kept in a portfolio or photographed. Make sure that all children are able to participate in classroom activities in some way.

Teacher resources Derman-Sparks, L. (2001 chap. 7). Anti-bias curriculum tools for empowering young children. Washington, D. C. National Association for the Education of Young Children. Seefeldt, C. (1993). Social studies for the preschool-primary child. New York: Merril Wellhousen, K. (2003). Be it ever so humble, Developing a study of homes for today’s diverse society. In C. Copple (Ed. ), A world of difference (pp. 83 -85). Washington DC: National Association for the Education of Young Children. Wilson, G. L. (1985). Teaching pre-schoolers about work: A complex task. Interracial books for children bulletin, 16(4), 9 -13.

Books About Families I Love My Daddy by Sebastien Braun A simple story about a father bear and his son. Wonderful pictures help illustrate how they spend their day together. Climb the Family Tree, Jesse Bear! by Nancy Carlstrom Tells the story of Jesse Bear at a family reunion. Great for introducing family relationship words. I Got A Family by Melrose Cooper A rhyming book describing all of the ways that family members make a young child feel loved. The Baby Sister by Tomie de Paola This book tells about Tommy and his family preparing for a new baby. A focus of the story is Tommy’s relationship with his grandmother. Daddy make the Best Spaghetti by Anna Grossnickle Hines This story depicts a father as the main caregiver in the family.

More Books About Families Peter’s Chair by Ezra Jack Keats A classic story about a little boy's feelings when a new baby arrives. Great Aunt Martha by Rebecca C. Jones A delightful story about what happens when an elderly aunt comes to visit. Mama, do You Love Me? by Barbara M. Joose A child living in the Arctic learns that a mother’s love is unconditional. The Biggest House in the World by Leo Lionni A snail learns that bigger and more is not always best. Families by Ann Morris This book looks at all kinds of families from all over the world. What Aunts Do Best & What Uncles Do Best by Numeroff A fun book about extended family relationships.

Still More Books About Families The Family Book by Todd Parr This book represents a variety of families. It explores the differences and similarities of families. Families Are Different An adopted Korean girl discovers that her classmates have different types of families. The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn A reassuring story about love for children facing challenging situations. Career Day by Lizzy Rockwell Each child in a class brings a visitor to tell about their work. Lots of Dads by Shelley Rotner A picture book with simple text showing lots of different dads. Lots of Moms by Shelley Rotner A picture book with simple text showing lots of different moms.

Even More Books About Families One Hundred Is A Family by Pam Munoz Ryan Groups making up many different kinds of “families” introduce the numbers from one to ten and then by tens to one hundred. A nice math connection. Mama and Daddy Bear’s Divorce by Kathy Parkinson A book about the feelings of a young child when her parent’s divorce. Mama’s Little Bears by Nancy Tafuri A story about a mother’s love for her young cubs as they become independent. * There are many wonderful books about families. Provide books specific to the needs of your classroom and also expand their horizons with books depicting families that are not represented in your classroom.