# Lesson 168: Different types of families

🟡 SOCIAL STUDIES (40 Lessons) • 🟢 A. About Me and My Family

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## Objective

I can say that families can look different, and talk about families in a kind and respectful way.

## Materials

- Paper for a simple "My family circle" drawing
- Pencils, crayons, or markers
- Optional: small heart or star stickers

## Mini-lesson — Different types of families

A family is the people who care for you, keep you as safe as they can, and show you love.

Families can look different

- Some children live with one parent.
- Some live with two parents.
- Some live with grandma, grandpa, or other carers.
- Some live with step-parents or in a blended family.
- Some children are adopted or live with foster carers.
- Some families have pets who feel like family too.

Homes can be arranged in many ways

- Some families live in one home.
- Some children move between two homes.
- Some homes are big, some are small, some are flats, some are houses.

Kind family sentences

- "My family cares for me."
- "Every family can be special."
- "Families can look different."

We never say that one family is better than another. We do not tease people about their family.

Picture strip: Different family shapes

## Guided Practice — My family circle

You will draw a simple "family circle" to show the people who care for you.

1. Draw a big circle on your page. At the top, write: "My family circle".
2. Inside the circle, draw small people for the ones who care for you, such as parents, grandparents, carers, or others.
3. If it feels safe, you can add pets that feel like family too.
4. Next to each person, write a simple word like "mum", "dad", "gran", "carer", or a name.
5. If you are not sure who to add, ask a trusted adult to help you. It is okay to keep your circle simple.
6. Practise saying one kind sentence about your family, such as "My family cares for me."

Tracing Pad
Lines
Trace
Pen

## Practice — Talking kindly about families

Use your family circle to practise kind words about your family and other families.

1. Talk with an adult. Point to your circle and say one sentence: "This is my family."
2. Say one thing you like about your family, such as "We laugh" or "We care."
3. Listen when someone else tells you about their family. Do not laugh or say mean things.
4. Practise one sentence you can use for any family, such as "Every family can be special."
5. Draw a small heart or star near your circle to show that love and care can be in many families.

## Quick Check — Different types of families

Answer each question about families, feelings, and respect. These questions do not judge any family. They talk about kind and fair choices children can make.

1) What is a family?

Only people who all look the same. People who care for you and try to keep you safe. Only big houses with many people.
A family is about care and love, not about size or looks.

2) Which sentence is kind and respectful?

"Families can look different." "Only my family is good." "Your family is wrong."
We speak kindly about all families.

3) Your friend lives with one parent. What should you do?

Say they do not have a real family. Tell them they must change homes. Treat them kindly and respect their family.
We respect all family shapes.

4) A child moves between two homes. What is a kind thought?

"That is not a real family." "They still have a family that cares." "They cannot be happy."
Families can live in one or more homes and still care.

5) Which sentence could you say about adopted children?

"Their family chose to care for them." "They do not have a family." "They are not really loved."
Adopted children have families who choose to care for them.

6) Your classmate says, "My grandma looks after me." What is a kind reply?

"That is strange." "You should live somewhere else." "That is a caring family."
We can notice the care in every family.

7) Someone says, "Your family is not good." What should you do?

Believe them and feel bad. Remember that it is a mean comment and tell a trusted adult. Say mean things back about their family.
It is not okay to insult families. Adults can help.

8) Which short sentence is respectful?

"Every family can be special." "Only big families are good." "Small families are wrong."
We do not judge families by size.

9) Your pet feels like part of your family. What can you say?

"Pets can never be family." "Only people count." "My pet is part of our family."
Some families feel pets are part of their family, and that is okay.

10) Why is it good to learn about different types of families?

To decide which family is best. To show respect and be kind to everyone. To make fun of people who are different.
Learning about many families helps us choose kindness and respect.

## Assessment (parent/teacher)

Student can say that a family is the people who care for them. Student can name at least two different family shapes (for example, one parent, grandparents, carers). Student uses kind, respectful sentences about their own family and others. Student understands that we do not tease or judge others because their family is different.

## Exit ticket (student)

😀 I can talk kindly about different types of families. 🙂 I know families can look different but want more practice with kind words. 😅 Talking about different families still feels a bit tricky.

#### Next time I will practise…

Saying kind sentences about my family Listening respectfully when others talk about their family Remembering that families can look different
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