My Family, My Community and My Place: Foundation Study Guide
Children explore who they are, where they live and the people and places that matter to them.
Every child belongs to a family, and families come in many forms. Some children live with parents, some with grandparents, carers or other relatives. Families share traditions such as meals, languages, celebrations and stories. Talking about 'my family' helps children see both similarities and differences between families.
Children also learn about place: the street, suburb, town or farm where they live. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have cared for Country for tens of thousands of years, and Country is much more than land: it includes water, sky, animals, plants and stories. Schools often begin the day with an acknowledgement of Country.
Past, present and future
A family timeline shows how life changes. Children compare photos of themselves as a baby and now, and talk about what their grandparents' homes or schools were like long ago. They use words like before, after, yesterday, now and when I was little.
| Time | Words | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Past | yesterday, long ago | Grandpa walked to school. |
| Present | now, today | I catch the bus. |
| Future | tomorrow, when I grow up | I will ride my bike. |
Special places and events
Places can be special for different reasons: a park, a beach, a library or a place of worship. Families celebrate events such as birthdays, Easter, Eid, Diwali, Lunar New Year, Christmas and Anzac Day. Respect for each other's celebrations is an important part of living in a multicultural country.
Where do you like to go?
Add the things you can see.
Say why it is special to you.
Looking after places
Everyone can care for places by putting rubbish in the bin, saving water and respecting nature. Children draw a simple map of their classroom or playground using symbols for things they know. Mapping helps them see that places are connected and shows where things are.
Worked examples and common mistakes
Example: Which comes first, being a baby or being five? Being a baby. Example: Name one way to care for a park. Put litter in the bin. Common mistakes: assuming every family looks the same, or treating the past as 'the olden days' without thinking about real people. Encourage respectful questions and curiosity about differences.
Check your understanding: model answers
1. Examples include a meal, a language, a holiday or a story that is shared. 2. Your map should show the room from above, with symbols for the bed, door and window. 3. Use the bin, do not pick flowers, and keep paths clear.
✨ Key Takeaways
- Families are different and share traditions.
- Place means where we live and belong.
- Time words describe past, present and future.
- We can care for places and respect others' celebrations.
💬 Questions for Discussion & Reflection
- Tell about one thing that is special in your family.
- Draw a map of your bedroom.
- Name one way to look after your local park.
Print graph paper for map drawing →