Teaching Children About Families

Family - Anita Patterson

Families today take many different forms: two parents, one parent, blended and extended. But all families play an important role in a child's life. Children have so much to share. Activities shared and sincere attention will let them know you value their thoughts and ideas.

Make a Family Time Capsule

Start with a shoebox or similar container. Have all members of the family contribute items that show who they are today. Such things as a school paper, a favorite recipe, a child's art, an office memo, a photo and so on. Have the group make a cassette recording telling about these items and why they are important. Talk about special talents and interests including what made them happy today. Toss in a current family photo. Store this "time capsule" away in a safe place. Bring it out one year from now to see together how the family has changed and grown.

Deal a Deck of Family Cards

Make a deck of family cards with the children using index cards and photographs. Include photos of family members, extended family, friends and even the family pets. Glue the photos onto the index cards and label. Now, with this special deck of cards, children can play sorting games, such as sort all the moms, dads, cousins, sisters, brothers, dogs, cats or even by gender of boys, girls and animals.


Read more at Suite101: Teaching Children About Families: Activities to Enhance Family Unity http://www.suite101.com/content/teaching-children-about-families-a123585#ixzz1HFT0DKNM