Social, Personal and Health Education (SPHE) · Junior Infants · Myself and Others: Friends and Family · 3.º Período

My Family

Children explore the concept of family and recognize that families come in many different forms. They discuss how family members care for and help one another.

TL;DR:The 'Myself and my family' unit encourages children to explore the diverse structures of families in modern Ireland. Junior Infants learn that while every family is different, the common thread is care and support. This topic fosters an environment of inclusion and respect for all family types.

• NCCA Curriculum Specifications
• Strand: Myself and others - Strand Unit: Myself and my family
• Strand: Myself and others - Strand Unit: Relating to others

About This Topic

The 'Myself and my family' unit encourages children to explore the diverse structures of families in modern Ireland. Junior Infants learn that while every family is different, the common thread is care and support. This topic fosters an environment of inclusion and respect for all family types.

Students identify their roles within their families and how members help one another. This builds a sense of responsibility and belonging. This topic comes alive when students can share their own family stories and physically model the ways they help at home through role-play.

Key Questions

1. Who is in my family?
2. How do we help each other at home?
3. What makes my family special?

Watch Out for These Misconceptions

Common Misconception

Children might think a family 'must' have a mom, a dad, and two children.

What to Teach Instead

Use the Gallery Walk of portraits to show the reality of the classroom. Discussing different family structures openly helps children understand that 'family' is defined by love and care, not just a specific formula.

Common Misconception

Students may believe that only adults do 'work' or 'help' in a family.

What to Teach Instead

Use role-play to highlight the important contributions children make. This surfaces their own agency and reinforces their value within the family unit.

Active Learning Ideas

Role Play

Helping Hands

In small groups, children act out a way they help at home, such as setting the table or putting away toys. The rest of the class guesses what the 'helping hand' is doing.

20 min·Small Groups

Gallery Walk

Family Portraits

Children draw a picture of the people they live with. These are displayed, and children walk around to see the different sizes and shapes of families in their class.

20 min·Whole Class

Think-Pair-Share

A Special Family Memory

Children think of a time their family did something fun together. They share the story with a partner, focusing on how they felt during that time.

15 min·Pairs

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I handle sensitive family situations (e.g., bereavement or separation)?

Focus on the concept of 'people who care for us.' Use inclusive language and ensure that every child feels their home life is valid. Active learning through drawing and sharing allows children to share only what they are comfortable with.

What are the best hands-on strategies for teaching about family diversity?

Gallery walks of student-created family trees or portraits are very effective. They provide a visual representation of diversity that is grounded in the children's own lives, making the concept of 'different but equal' very clear and personal.

How can I involve families in this SPHE topic?

Ask families to contribute a 'family recipe' or a photo of a special tradition. This can be used in a collaborative investigation into the different ways families celebrate and live together.

How does this topic link to the History curriculum?

This unit connects to the 'Myself and my Family' strand in History. You can use active learning to explore how their parents or grandparents played when they were young, comparing it to the children's lives today.