ROLES OF EXTENDED FAMILY MEMBERS IN CHILD DEVELOPMENT

ROLES OF EXTENDED FAMILY MEMBERS IN CHILD DEVELOPMENT

     Extended family implies all blood relations of a couple outside their nuclear family.The extended family is usually bigger than the nuclear family among there people that form an extended family are the grandparents,great grandparents,uncles,aunts, cousins, nephews, nieces,etc.

(1) GRANDPARENTS: These are the father and mother of your parents.They are called grandfather or grandmother by the children in the family.

(2)GREAT-GRANDPARENTS:These are the grandparents of your parents.They are your great-grandparents as children in the family.

(3) UNCLE:An uncle is your parent’s brother,i.e,any male siblings of your parents.He is an uncle to the children in the nuclear family.

(4)AUNT: An aunt is your parents’ sister. She is the female siblings of your parents. She is an aunt to the children in the nuclear family.

(5) NEPHEWS: These are male children of your parents’brother or sister.They are nephews to your parents.

(6) NIECES: These are female children of your parents’ brother or sister. They are nieces to your parents.

(7) COUSINS: The children of your parents’ brothers or sisters are your cousins. They also call you cousin.

ROLES OF EXTENDED FAMILY MEMBERS IN CHILD DEVELOPMENT

The extended family plays vital roles in a child development following ways:

(1) It acts as an agent of socialization: The extended family plays a vital role in teaching the child greetings, eating habits, dressing and how to interact with elders in the society.

The extended family has more impact in the child development particularly in a compound family where the child relates both with nuclear and extended families.

(2) It shares folklore: In compound families, the grandparents and other elders in the family help in inculcating good social values such as honesty, diligence, obedience,etc.in children through moonlight stories.

   Children sit round their grandparents in the moonlights where folktale that teach good lessons are told.

(3) It improves self esteem and self worth in children: when extended family members are involved in child rearing, it also provides the benefit of improving self esteem and self worth in children.The relationships children built with extended family members can provided them with a better sense of identity and support, improving the way they feel about themselves.

(4) It teaches children how to relate with elders: The extended family teaches the children how to interact with the elders,how to take care of their younger ones and relate with their age mates. Girls are taught how to dress for various occasions,how to greet, comport themselves when they are among opposite genders. Boys are groomed for future responsibilities as men/husband.

(5)It supports the nuclear family members when necessary: The extended family in African setting plays supportive role to the nuclear family at different times such as during pregnancy, child birth, marriage, financial crisis etc.Mothers most often stay with Ftheir daughters to help in nursing her baby. Family members are always available to console and comfort any of their relations that is bereaved.

(6) It acts as models for young ones: Young children learn good behaviours not only from their parents but also from the grandparents. The acts of honesty and love displayed by relations to the nuclear family go a long way in displaying the same to other family members when they have the opportunity.

(7) Financial support: Parents can ask family members to help with the cost of attending a day care facility, activities for children or private school tuition. Parents can also rely on extended family members for the costs of basic necessities such as food, housing, clothing and transportation.An unexpected job loss or financial obligation,such as a sick child that incurs medical expenses, can be overwhelming for parents.In these circumstances, extended family members can offer monetary supports or even allow the parents and children to move into their home to help out with expenses.

              CLASS TEST

(1) What do you understand by extended family?

(2) Mention at least (5) five people that make up an extended family.

(3) Identity (4) four roles of extended family in child development.

ASSIGNMENT: Explain (5) five factors responsible for children and women trafficking in Nigeria.