All About Me and My Family

This activity will raise the question "What is family to you?". The educator can create and co-created different scenari...

This activity will raise the question "What is family to you?". The educator can create and co-created different scenarios with the children.

Older Toddlers: Educators can observe and discuss pictures with the children.

Observe: Do the children show awareness of places in their community and how they are similar to the ones in the pictures? Invite children to recall and describe the familiar places they have visited.

Step 1

Prior to this day, have parents send in photos of the family with a sticky note attached to names and roles. Have children gather around in a large circle and play the song “We Are Family” as they all gather around. Ask children, “What is a family? Who is in a family?” Remember to be inclusive and open to children who may have two dads, two moms, no dad, no mom, no parents, etc. Be ready to tactfully discuss how every family is different.

Step 2

Show a photo of your (educator's) family and model how to describe who is in the photo: “This is my family. This is my X..."

Step 3

Depending on the size of your group of students, stay as a whole group or break into small groups of 3 or 4 and have students share about who is in the photo and what their roles are. 

Step 4

Come back as a whole group and discuss why roles are important. Can roles change? Why or why not? Are all families alike? Why or why not? See where the discussion goes and be sure to stay inclusive and open to all differences.

What is family to you?

What do you call different family members?

Do you use other languages?

Older Toddlers: Can you identify familiar places in the pictures, such as a grocery store, beach, park, house, etc?

Cognition and Social Skills

Expressive Language (Speaking), Visual Arts Geography and Symbolic Representation, Culture, Family, and Community