Members of Nuclear and Extended Family – Basic 3 Social Studies Lesson Note (First Term)

1. MEMBERS OF NUCLEAR FAMILY

Nuclear family has 4 main members:

1. FATHER (Dad)

• Male parent of the family
• Head of the family
• Provides money for food and shelter
• Makes important family decisions
• Protects the family

2. MOTHER (Mum)

• Female parent of the family
• Takes care of the children
• Cooks and cleans the house
• Helps children with homework
• Shows love and care

3. SON (Male child)

• Boy child in the family
• Son of the father and mother
• Brother to other children
• Should respect parents
• Helps with house chores

4. DAUGHTER (Female child)

• Girl child in the family
• Daughter of the father and mother
• Sister to other children
• Should obey parents
• Helps with house work

Example of Nuclear Family: The Okoro family has:

• Mr. Okoro (father)
• Mrs. Okoro (mother)
• Chidi (son)
• Amaka (daughter)

Nuclear family tree:

   Father ♂ ——— Mother ♀

         |           |

         |___________|

              |

         Son ♂    Daughter ♀

1. MEMBERS OF EXTENDED FAMILY

Extended family includes nuclear family PLUS other relatives:

IMMEDIATE EXTENDED FAMILY:

1. GRANDPARENTS

• Grandfather – father’s father or mother’s father
• Grandmother – father’s mother or mother’s mother
• They are the oldest in the family
• Give advice and wisdom
• Tell stories to grandchildren

2. UNCLES

• Father’s brothers
• Mother’s brothers
• Help take care of nephews and nieces
• Give advice to children

3. AUNTS

• Father’s sisters
• Mother’s sisters
• Help care for nieces and nephews
• Support the family

4. COUSINS

• Uncle’s children
• Aunt’s children
• Playmates and friends
• Same generation as you

OTHER EXTENDED FAMILY MEMBERS:

5. NEPHEW

• Your brother’s son
• Your sister’s son

6. NIECE

• Your brother’s daughter
• Your sister’s daughter

7. BROTHER-IN-LAW

• Your sister’s husband
• Your wife’s brother

8. SISTER-IN-LAW

• Your brother’s wife
• Your husband’s sister

1. FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS

How family members are related:

To your parents:

• You are their child (son or daughter)
• Your siblings are their children

To your grandparents:

• You are their grandchild
• They are your father’s/mother’s parents

To your uncles and aunts:

• You are their nephew (if you’re male) or niece (if you’re female)
• They are your parent’s brothers and sisters

To your cousins:

• You are cousins to each other
• You share the same grandparents

Example: If your uncle has a son named Tolu:

• Tolu is your cousin
• You are Tolu’s cousin
• Your father is Tolu’s uncle
• Tolu’s father is your uncle

1. FAMILY SIZE COMPARISON

Nuclear Family:

• Small size (usually 3-5 people)
• Father, mother, and children only
• Live in one house
• Easier to manage

Extended Family:

• Large size (usually 8-20 people or more)
• Includes grandparents, uncles, aunts, cousins
• May live in same compound
• More people to help each other

1. ROLES OF FAMILY MEMBERS

Nuclear Family Roles:

• Father: Works and provides money
• Mother: Manages home and children
• Children: Go to school and help at home

Extended Family Roles:

• Grandparents: Give wisdom and blessings
• Uncles/Aunts: Help with children’s training
• Cousins: Play and learn together
• All members: Support each other

CLASS EXERCISES

1. List the 4 main members of nuclear family:
2. Fill in the missing family members:

• Your father’s father is your _______
• Your mother’s sister is your _______
• Your uncle’s son is your _______
• Your aunt’s daughter is your _______

3. True or False:

• A nuclear family is larger than extended family: _____
• Your grandfather is your father’s father: _____
• Your cousin is your uncle’s child: _____
• Extended family includes grandparents: _____

4. Match the relationships:

• Father’s brother → Uncle
• Mother’s mother → _______
• Sister’s son → _______
• Brother’s wife → _______

5. Circle the extended family members: Father, Cousin, Mother, Grandfather, Son, Aunt, Daughter, Uncle, Grandmother
6. Complete the family tree:

Grandfather ——— Grandmother

     |               |

     |_______________|

          |

    Father ——— Mother

         |        |

         |________|

             |

        _____ (you)

7. Answer these questions about your family:

• How many people are in your nuclear family? _______
• What is your father’s name? _______
• What is your mother’s name? _______
• Do you have any brothers or sisters? _______
• Name one of your uncles: _______
• Name one of your aunts: _______

8. Who am I?

• I am your father’s mother: _______
• I am your mother’s brother: _______
• I am your uncle’s child: _______
• I am your parent’s child: _______

9. Family roles – match each person with their role:

• Father → Provides for family
• Mother → _______
• Grandfather → _______
• Children → _______