Families Around the World
Kindergarten · Social Studies · Study Guide
Explore how families look different and the same all across the world.
A family is a group of people who love and care for one another. Families come in all shapes and sizes! Some families have a mom and a dad. Some have two moms or two dads. Some children live with grandparents, aunts, uncles, or other caring adults. All kinds of families are special.
Families around the world share many of the same needs. Every family needs food, shelter, clothing, and love. But families also celebrate different traditions and eat different foods depending on where they live. A family in Japan might eat rice and fish for breakfast, while a family in Mexico might eat eggs and tortillas.
Families speak different languages and follow different customs, but they all love and support each other. Learning about families from around the world helps us understand that people everywhere have more things in common than different!
| Country | Common Food | Interesting Tradition |
|---|---|---|
| Japan | Rice and fish | Bowing to greet others |
| Mexico | Tortillas and beans | Day of the Dead celebration |
| India | Rice and lentils | Diwali festival of lights |
| Nigeria | Jollof rice | Storytelling around fires |
| USA | Varied dishes | Thanksgiving meal together |
Key terms
- family
- A group of people who love and care for one another
- tradition
- A special thing a family or group does the same way every year
- culture
- The beliefs, food, language, and customs of a group of people
- custom
- A way of doing something that is passed down in a family or community
- shelter
- A place where people live and stay safe from weather
Flashcards
- Family
- A group of people who love and take care of each other
- Tradition
- A special activity a family repeats in the same way each year
- Culture
- The shared beliefs, food, language, and customs of a group
- Custom
- A way of doing something passed down through generations
- Shelter
- A home that keeps people safe and protected from weather
- Celebration
- A special event where people come together for a happy occasion
Practice questions
What is a family?
- A group of strangers
- A group of people who love and care for each other
- Only a mom and dad
- A school class
Show answer
Answer: A group of people who love and care for each other
Families come in many forms but are united by love and care for one another.
All families around the world eat exactly the same food.
Show answer
Answer: False
Families eat many different foods based on their culture and where they live in the world.
What is a tradition?
- Something new you try every day
- A special thing a family does the same way year after year
- A type of food
- A school subject
Show answer
Answer: A special thing a family does the same way year after year
Traditions are repeated practices that give families a sense of identity and belonging.
Families everywhere need love and shelter.
Show answer
Answer: True
No matter where they live, all families share the same basic needs for love and a safe home.
A family's ___ includes their food, language, and customs.
Show answer
Answer: culture
Culture includes the food, language, customs, and beliefs that define a family's way of life.
Fun facts
- There are over 7,000 languages spoken by families around the world!
- In Iceland, many families spend evenings reading books — it is a national tradition.
- The world's largest recorded family gathering was in India with over 100 relatives.
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