Oftentimes, children can learn better when taught through games rather than through strict lessons and flashcards. Just as you might help your child to learn math through a fun game of counting the blueberries on their plate and subtracting as they gobble them up, there are numerous games played throughout the day that can help to teach children different lessons that are important in life.
 
While many parents can put their focus on learning the alphabet, counting and correctly naming shapes and colors, learning about family members is a lesson that is equally important. Many times, children can have difficulty understanding family dynamics outside of their own immediate family. For instance, while it can be relatively easy to understand that they themselves might have a brother or sister, the concept can get a little misunderstood when it has to do with the siblings of their parents.
 
The same can be said about other extended family members. Making up a game to help not only introduce kids to these other family members, but also familiarize them with their names, faces and relations can be a great way to teach the importance of family.
 
A great way to do this is by printing photos of family members in duplicates and creating a makeshift game of “Go Fish.” This will help them to learn the names of the family members while creating a bonding experience between parent and child. The best way to play is by addressing each person by their relationship title. For instance, the child should be taught to say “Grandma Jane” or “Aunt Sara.” This will teach the child to not only familiarize themselves with the name of the family member, but also how they are related to one another.
 
Teaching children about their extended family members can build the number of people they can include in their idea of what their family contains. This is extremely important for children because it further creates a much needed sense of stability in their lives. This can be especially important for single child families because they can understand that although they may not have a sibling, they have cousins and other family members that they can be close with.
 
The importance of understanding unity within a family is a lesson that shows a child that they are one small portion of something that is much bigger. Being part of a family unit helps to draw on elements learned later in life. For instance, a lesson that is often freeing to adults is when they understand that they are part of something that is much larger than themselves.
 
I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. —Galatians 2:20
 
Also, it’s important to instill knowledge of other family members at an early age to help cultivate a relationship. Family gatherings that include extended family members are made much brighter when children can understand who the people are. Teaching your child the different names and faces of family members can cause them to look forward to their visits and can equally help to cultivate a relationship with adult members getting to know your children.
 
While every parent wants to believe that they will always be around to teach and guide their child, it’s inevitable that they will someday pass on. A gift you can give your child is the bond of family even after you are no longer in this world. Teaching your children about family members will help them to create bonds that will last into their adulthood and help to maintain a sense of family unity that they can then carry on to their own children.