# Family and Friends

## Overview

This chapter introduces children to the importance of families and friendships. It highlights how families support each other emotionally and physically, the fun of shared experiences, and how different family members and even animals contribute to our lives. It fosters the values of care, cooperation, and inclusion, while also promoting observation, reflection, and interaction through engaging activities.

## Key Topics Covered

### 1. Playing Together

* Bela lives with her two brothers, Banku and Bishu.
* The children enjoy playing games like **chhupan-chhupai (hide and seek)** and **peek-a-boo**.
* They spend time outside in the garden planted by their family.
* The garden is a social space where friends, neighbors, and family members gather, relax, and enjoy evenings together.

### 2. Singing Together

* During the rainy season, the family gathers under a garden shelter.
* They play indoor games such as **antakshari** and **snakes and ladders**.
* Bela’s grandmother (Dadiji) prepares snacks like **pakoras** and sings rain songs.
* Children learn traditional songs from elders, building family bonds and cultural knowledge.

### 3. Laughing Together

* Dadaji shares traditional games he used to play in his childhood with Banku and Bela.
* Shiru, the family dog, is loved by all and considered a family member.
* Bela and Banku care for Shiru by sharing food and never hurting him.
* The idea of families includes pets and encourages kindness to animals.

### 4. Types of Families

* Families may be big or small, but all are equally important and loving.
* Members typically include parents, siblings, grandparents, and other relatives.
* Families show mutual love and support and include relationships with animals, trees, and plants.

### 5. Helping Each Other

* Bela’s grandmother helps with hair care and sings while braiding hair.
* All family members contribute to daily chores:

* Parents cook, clean, and shop.
* Children help with gardening and cleaning.
* Friendship and extended relationships are important; Bela’s friend Munni and Kusum Mausi are like family.
* Making **rangoli** using dried flowers and leaves is a cultural tradition.

### 6. Learning from Family and Friends

* Children learn songs, traditions, and helpful habits from elders.
* They also support elderly family members and care for those who are ill or young.
* Family members living in other places are also valued and remembered.
* Children share knowledge, such as helping in rangoli-making or housework.

### 7. Fun with Family and Friends

* On holidays, families go out together (e.g., to parks).
* Playing games like **pitthoo** with friends and grandparents enhances joy and bonding.
* Family outings end with shared treats like ice cream and create happy memories.

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## New Words and Terms (Simple Definitions)

| Term | Definition |
| --------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| chhupan-chhupai | A hide-and-seek game played by children |
| peek-a-boo | A game where someone hides and then shows their face to make a baby laugh |
| rangoli | A decorative design made on the floor using coloured powders or flowers |
| antakshari | A singing game where players sing songs starting with the last letter sung |
| pitthoo | A game where players stack stones and try to knock them down with a ball |
| Mausi | Mother’s sister (aunt) |
| Dadiji/Dadaji | Grandmother/Grandfather |
| garden | An area where plants, flowers, or vegetables are grown |
| pet | A tame animal kept at home |
| help | To assist or support someone with work or problems |

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## Practice Questions

### Easy (3)

1. **Who are the members of Bela’s family?**
**Answer**: Bela has two brothers (Banku and Bishu), parents, grandparents (Dadiji and Dadaji), and a pet dog named Shiru.
**Explanation**: The chapter describes how they all live and play together.

2. **What games does Bela’s family play during the rainy season?**
**Answer**: Antakshari and snakes and ladders.
**Explanation**: These are indoor games they enjoy while sitting in the shelter.

3. **What do Bela and Banku do to help their family?**
**Answer**: Bela helps in the garden, and Banku helps with cleaning and chopping vegetables.
**Explanation**: Children help elders in daily tasks.

### Medium (2)

4. **Why is Shiru considered a member of the family?**
**Answer**: Because he is cared for, not hurt, and included in play and meals.
**Explanation**: Pets are loved like any other family member.

5. **What is rangoli and how is it made by Munni?**
**Answer**: Rangoli is a decorative design made using dried flowers, leaves, or colours.
**Explanation**: Munni uses natural materials to make rangoli during festivals.

### Difficult (3)

6. **What values are shown through the chapter “Family and Friends”?**
**Answer**: Love, cooperation, respect for elders, care for animals, sharing, and cultural traditions.
**Explanation**: Every story and activity reflects these values.

7. **How does Bela’s family celebrate rainy days?**
**Answer**: They sit in the garden shelter, enjoy snacks made by elders, play games, and sing songs.
**Explanation**: Celebrating together creates joyful memories.

8. **How do children learn from elders in the family?**
**Answer**: Through storytelling, songs, traditional games, and life skills like gardening or helping with chores.
**Explanation**: Learning takes place through everyday interactions.

### Very Difficult (2)

9. **How do families support each other emotionally and practically?**
**Answer**: By sharing responsibilities, offering comfort, spending quality time, and working together.
**Explanation**: Support is shown in actions like helping with chores and spending time together.

10. **Explain how community bonds are built through family and friend interactions.**
**Answer**: Families interact with neighbours, celebrate together, help each other during festivals, and involve everyone including pets.
**Explanation**: These shared moments and responsibilities strengthen social bonds.

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