Family Tree: Portraits + Names + Generations

Level 3 develops academic independence and deeper identity work.

Objectives

Materials

Instructions

Materials

Large sheets of brown craft paper (one per child)

Small squares of paper in various colours (for leaves)

Crayons or coloured pencils

Child-safe scissors

Glue sticks

Markers

Pictures of children’s own families (if available, or provide diverse family photos)

Optional: Pipe cleaners, glitter glue

Learning Objectives

Children will be able to identify and name at least two family members.

Children will be able to represent family members through drawing or collage.

Children will begin to understand the concept of family generations (parents, grandparents).

Children will express feelings about their family through their artwork.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Begin by gathering the children and discussing what a family tree is – a special way to show who is in our family, like branches on a tree. Talk about different families and the people who make them special.

2. Distribute the large brown craft paper. Ask each child to draw a sturdy trunk and some branches reaching out, representing their own family tree.

3. Have children think about who their family members are. Encourage them to name parents, siblings, grandparents, aunts, and uncles.

4. Provide the small squares of coloured paper. Explain that these will be ‘leaves’ for their family tree, and each leaf will represent a family member.

5. Invite children to draw a picture of a family member on a leaf or glue a photo if they brought one. They can write the family member’s name on the leaf.

6. As children finish their ‘leaves,’ help them glue them onto the branches of their family tree. Encourage them to think about where each person fits.

7. Facilitate conversations about the people on their trees. Ask questions like, "Who is this person? How do they show you love?" or "Is this person your mum or your grandma?"

8. Allow children to decorate their trees with additional elements like pipe cleaner branches or glitter glue for a special touch, as if adding decorations to their home.

9. Conclude by having children share their family trees, talking about one or two people represented.

Educator Tip

This activity can be adapted for children who may not live with biological parents or have different family structures. Focus on the people who are important and loving in their lives, referring to them as their "family." Ensure all photos are handled with care. When discussing generations, keep it simple: "Your parents are one generation, and your grandparents are another."

Assessment

Observe children’s engagement and their ability to name family members. Note their representations of family in their artwork and listen to their verbal descriptions of their family members and their roles. Collect the finished family trees to display and refer back to during discussions about family.

Educator tip

Use rubric; insist on justification; support with exemplars.

Assessment

Assess against Early Learning Goals (ELGs). Document evidence of 'expected' or 'exceeding' descriptors. Note: independent application of skills, ability to explain reasoning, and capacity to build on prior learning. Rubric (1–4): accuracy, reasoning, clarity, independence.

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