The Family House – JSS2 Home Economics Lesson Note (First Term)

The family house is a place, usually a building, where family members live together as one. In any family house, there are different rooms or areas. Each room or area is usually used for different purposes, activities or functions. The rooms or areas of the family house that are furnished and used for different functions are called the functional rooms or areas of the house.

Behavioural objectives

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

• name the functional areas of the family house;
• state the uses and furniture of the sitting room, bedroom, dining room, kitchen, bathroom and toilet;
• list the materials needed for household maintenance;
• state the general guidelines for household maintenance;
• describe the daily cleaning of the main rooms of the family house.

What are the functional areas of the family house?

1. Sitting room
2. Bedroom
3. Dining room
4. Kitchen
5. Bathroom
6. Toilet
7. Guest room
8. Pantry/store

What is the sitting room or living room used for?

Uses of the sitting room

1. It is used as a relaxation centre for family members.
2. It is used for receiving and entertaining visitors.
3. Part of it can be used as a dining area.
4. Family pictures and other precious collections can be displayed there.
5. It can be used for social activities, such as parties and meetings.

Sitting room furniture

1. A set of settees or chairs, which are available in different shapes, sizes and forms.
2. A coffee or centre table.
3. A set of side stools.
4. Wall cabinet or room divider, bookshelf.
5. Optional items include television, radio, etc. These are not pieces of furniture.
6. The sitting room also requires floor coverings, curtains and other decorative accessories.

What is the bedroom used for?

Uses of the bedroom

1. It is a place for sleeping or resting.
2. It is a place for keeping important personal belongings, such as money, documents, clothes and jewellery.
3. It is a centre for dressing and making up.

Bedroom furniture

1. Bed: this can be made with different types of materials.
2. Mattress: this can be foam only or foam with a spring interior.
3. Wardrobe or closet: this can be built as a large cupboard.
4. Dressing table: this usually has a mirror mounted on it and a chest of drawers for storage.
5. Stool: this goes with the dressing table.
6. Bedside cupboard: this can be part of the bed stand or a separate unit. It is used for storage.
7. We also have bed linen and pillows. Wardrobes or chests of drawers are used for clothes.

What is the dining room used for?

The dining room is the functional area of the home where the family members eat their meals. It can be a separate room or part of the sitting room.

Uses of the dining room

1. It is used as a centre for family meals.
2. It can be used for serving meals to visitors.

Dining room furniture

1. Dining table
2. Chairs
3. Sideboard or cupboard for storing cutlery, glasses, table mats, linens, etc. Drinks and food items, such as beverages, can also be stored on the sideboard.

What is the kitchen used for?

Uses of the kitchen

The kitchen is used as a centre for:

1. food storage
2. food preparation and cooking
3. meal service

Kitchen furniture

1. Gas cooker
2. Storage cupboard with shelves
3. Sink with draining board
4. Kitchen taps fitted to the sink
5. Refrigerator and deep freezer where they can be afforded
6. Pestle and mortar, cooking pots and pans, etc.

What are the bathroom and toilet used for?

Uses of the bathroom and toilet

1. The bathroom is a place where family members have their bath.
2. It is also used for cleaning up.
3. The toilet is used to pass out faeces.

Bathroom and toilet furniture

1. Bathtub with hot and cold water taps
2. A shower
3. A water closet

How do we maintain the family house?

Materials needed for household maintenance

1. Brooms
2. Brushes
3. Dusters
4. Mops
5. Dustpans
6. Dustbins
7. Pails
8. Buckets
9. Carpet sweeper
10. Vacuum cleaner

General guidelines for household maintenance

1. Always set apart time for daily, weekly and seasonal cleaning of the house.
2. Use the correct house cleaning materials or agents for specific surfaces, e.g. abrasives like Vim for scouring bathtubs.
3. Use cleaning equipment such as mops, brooms and vacuum cleaners properly.
4. Store cleaning equipment and materials properly and out of reach of children.
5. Each surface or object should be given the correct cleaning treatment.
6. Household waste should be properly disposed of daily.
7. Always keep the surroundings of the house clean by cutting the hedges and grass and not allowing stagnant water around the house.

How do we clean the family house daily?

Daily cleaning of the sitting room

1. Open the doors and windows to air the room.
2. Sweep the floor and reach under all pieces of furniture.
3. Empty the waste paper basket.
4. Dust all surfaces, doors, windows and furniture.
5. Tidy up the cushions and arrange arms and headrests on the chairs.
6. Arrange furniture, newspapers, magazines and other items properly.
7. Put fresh flowers in the vase if necessary.

Daily cleaning of the dining room

1. Clean the table and remove any pieces of food.
2. Clean the table mats and put them away.
3. Keep the table clean, because dirty tables attract flies.
4. Sweep off the pieces of food on the floor.
5. Dust the chairs and other pieces of furniture.
6. Arrange the chairs neatly.
7. Put in fresh flowers.

Daily cleaning of the kitchen

1. Open the windows to air the room.
2. Sweep down cobwebs and dust from the ceiling and walls.
3. Sweep the floor.
4. Wash any dirty plates and utensils.
5. Clean the sinks, draining board and the wall around it.
6. Wipe the stove or cooker.
7. Dust other surfaces in the kitchen, e.g. cabinet, table and refrigerator.
8. Mop the floor.
9. Arrange the utensils.
10. Empty the dustbin or waste basket.
11. Sweep out the inside of the bin or basket using a stiff broom or brush.
12. Clean the broom or brush and put it away properly.

Daily cleaning of the bathroom and toilet

1. Sweep the floor with a special broom.
2. Flush the toilet.
3. Remove debris, including bits of sponge.
4. Draw the shower curtain if in use.
5. Wash the bathtub and the hand basin.
6. After each use, rinse the bathtub and mop up any water splashes on the floor.
7. Lift the seat of the water closet (W/C) and sprinkle toilet cleaner such as “Harpic” inside the bowl.
8. Scrub the bowl with a toilet brush and flush again.
9. Wipe the outside of the bowl, seat and cover using a suitable cloth.
10. Mop the floor.
11. Supply fresh toilet paper if necessary.

Daily cleaning of the bedroom

1. Open the windows and draw the curtains to air the room.
2. Take up the mosquito net and adjust it neatly, if it is in use.
3. Dust the bedroom furniture.
4. Sweep the floor and brush the floor covering.
5. Make the bed.
6. Arrange the dressing table.
7. Clean the duster and put it away neatly.

Evaluation

1. Mention the functional areas in the family house.
2. State another name for the sitting room and list three pieces of furniture found in it.
3. Mention the functions of the bedroom and the sitting room.
4. Mention five guidelines for cleaning the family house.
5. Describe the daily cleaning of the sitting room.

Assignment

1. List five pieces of furniture in the bedroom and state the use of each.
2. Write out the steps for the daily cleaning of the kitchen.