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Book for addressing identity and possible LGBTQ 

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Book for addressing identity and possible LGBTQ 

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an art project to do with kids about themselves

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an art project to do with kids about themselves

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Self-portraits are a fantastic way for children to explore their sense of self and build their self-identity. I love doing self portraits at the beginning of the year with my class when we are getting to know each other. We learn about ourselves, each other and they foster a sense of belonging within the classroom. When I posted this activity on my Instagram page, I had lots of people asking different questions. This blog entry will show you step by step what to do to create your own beautiful self portraits with your littles ones and hopefully answer any questions you have.
You will need:

Crepe paper (different colours, cut into squares)

Spray bottles (filled with water)

Cardboard paper (A4 for backgrounds, A5 for portraits)

Black marker pens

Glue

Step 1: Cut your crepe paper into squares. I used crepe paper, rather than tissue paper, as this material 'bleeds' better when applied with water.

Step 2: Invite children to cover their page in crepe paper squares and spray with water. I usually spray a bit of water on first to make them stick to the page better. Spray as necessary throughout to create a bit of stickiness. Be careful not to spray too much as too much water on the page will make it rip. I don't have a picture of the spray bottles we used, but I recommend these ones from Kmart and have them set so light, misty water comes out.

Step 3: Put the finished pages in a tray in the sun. I recommend using a tray because as the crepe paper dries, it will peel away and blow everywhere (believe me, I learnt this the hard way haha!)

Step 4: Remove any excess crepe paper that hasn't fallen off by itself. I keep the crepe paper for other art experiences because they are so beautiful and its a great way to recycle and reuse items in the classroom (Check out our PASTEL RAINBOWS we made using the left over crepe paper)

Step 5: While the colourful backgrounds are drying, on a separate piece of cardboard paper, have your little ones draw a portrait of themselves. Encourage as much detail as possible. We drew ours on a smaller piece of cardboard (about A5) to make sure they weren't too big.

Step 6: Cut around the portraits and use glue to attach to the colourful backgrounds. The simple black and white portraits create a wonderful contrast to the colourful backgrounds!

What did we learn?

Building our self identity

Developing a sense of awareness of ourselves and others

A sense of belonging in the classroom

Cause and effect

Fine motor skills

Drawing skills

Pencil grip

This experience was carried out with 3-5 year olds. Adult supervision is recommended at all times, particularly when engaging with water in the spray bottles.

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Colourful Self Portraits - Learning Through Play

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Self-portraits are a fantastic way for children to explore their sense of self and build their self-identity. I love doing self portraits at the beginning of the year with my class when we are getting to know each other. We learn about ourselves, each other and they foster a sense of belonging within the classroom.

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picture book for family lesson: "A Family is a Family is a Family" by Sara O'Leary

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picture book for family lesson: "A Family is a Family is a Family" by Sara O'Leary

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read aloud

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Activity ideas on "sometimes I feel.like a fox

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Activity ideas on "sometimes I feel.like a fox

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https://witsprogram.ca/book/sometimes-i-feel-like-a-fox/

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pv0ZWoEYIT4

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All you have to do is look around a school open house to see that family structure has changed dramatically over the last 50 years. Family units are far more diverse, proving that there are all kinds of ways to be a loving family today.

The Leave It to Beaver family (with a mom, dad, and two or three kids) is no longer the standard. In fact, the US doesn't currently have a single family type that's considered the norm. There are several variations on family, including single-parent households, families without kids, and many more. There are six specific types of family structures identified by society today.

What Is a Family Structure?

A family structure, or family unit, is the basic grouping of members in a family. There are lots of types of families that exist today, with some families naturally falling into multiple categories. For example, you might live in a single-parent family but also be a part of a larger, extended family.

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While these types of families are distinct in definition, in practice, the lines are less clear. As laws and norms change, so do family structures. For example, the 2020 U.S. Census was the first to give respondents the chance to indicate that they are part of a same-sex couple, either married or unmarried.

Nuclear Family

The nuclear family is the traditional type of family structure you might think of. This family type consists of two parents and at least one child. Society has long held the traditional nuclear family in high esteem as being the 'ideal' in which to raise children.

Today, we know there are lots of ways to raise healthy and happy kids, but there are a few reasons this type of family unit works. Children in nuclear families often receive strength and stability from the two-parent structure (when one parent needs a break, as we all do, the other parent can step in).

Generally, kids in these types of families have more opportunities due to the financial ease of incomes from two adults. In America today, less than 46 percent of families live in a nuclear family unit where both parents are on their first marriage, according to the Pew Research Center.

Single-Parent Family

The single-parent family consists of one parent raising one or more children on their own (although they may have support from friends and other family members not living with them). This family unit may include a single mother with her children, a single dad with his kids, or a single person with their kids.

The single-parent family is the biggest alteration society has seen in terms of the changes in family structures. One in four children is born to a single mother, according to Pew. Single-parent families are often close and find ways to work together to solve problems, such as dividing up household chores.

When only one parent is at home, it may be a struggle to find childcare, as there is only one parent working. This limits income and opportunities in many cases, although many single-parent families have support from relatives and friends.

Extended Family

The extended family structure consists of two or more adults who are related, either by blood or marriage, living in the same home. This family includes many relatives living together and working toward common goals, such as raising the children and keeping up with the household duties. Many extended families include cousins, aunts or uncles, and grandparents living together.

This type of family structure may form due to financial difficulties or because older relatives are unable to care for themselves alone. Extended families are becoming increasingly common all over the world.

Families Without Children

While many people think of a family as including children, there are couples who either cannot or choose not to have children. This doesn't make them less of a family, and in fact, this type of family unit is on the rise. 44 percent of non-parents under age 50 report not planning to ever have children, and this includes people in committed relationships.

The family without children is sometimes the "forgotten family," as it does not meet the traditional standards set by society. Childless families consist of two partners living and working together. Many families without children take on the responsibility of pet ownership or have extensive contact with their nieces and nephews.

Stepfamily

Over half of all marriages end in divorce, and many of these individuals choose to get remarried. This creates the step or blended family, which involves two separate families merging into one new unit. It consists of a new husband, wife, or spouse and their children from previous marriages or relationships.

If you're part of a stepfamily, you're not alone. Stepfamilies are about as common as the nuclear family, although they tend to have unique challenges, such as adjustment periods and discipline issues. Stepfamilies need to learn to work together and also work with their exes to ensure these family units run smoothly.

Grandparent Family

Many grandparents today are raising their grandchildren for a variety of reasons. One in ten children lives with a grandparent, and about one in five is raised by their grandparents. In these situations, the parents may be present in the child's life, but they are not the child's primary guardian.

The grandparent family unit, also known as a skipped-generation family, is sometimes due to parents' death, addiction, abandonment, or being deemed unfit parents. Many grandparents need to go back to work or find additional sources of income to help raise their grandchildren.

Family Structures and Units Can Take on Different Forms

There's no right or wrong answer when it comes to what is the best type of family structure, and even a traditional nuclear family has pros and cons. What a family unit looks like, just like what a family means, can mean different things to different people. As long as a family is filled with love and support for one another, it tends to be successful and thrive. Families need to do what is best for each other and themselves, and that can be achieved in almost type of unit.

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6 Types of Family Structures Common in 2023 | LoveToKnow

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The types of family structures that exist may seem familiar to you; or maybe not. Discover the different type of structures through families here.

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SOGI

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https://youtu.be/qhWV4fzchq4

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Name lesson (Read Aloud) - Thunder Boy Jr. 

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Name lesson (Read Aloud) - Thunder Boy Jr. 