The Influence of Working Parents on the Nigerian Family: Meaning of Working Parents, Influences of Working Parents on the Nigerian Family, Positive and Negative Effects of Working Parents | Primary 6 (Basic 6) First Term Week 2 Social Studies

THE INFLUENCE OF WORKING PARENTS ON NIGERIAN FAMILY: USE OF BABYSITTERS, PUTTING CHILDREN IN DAY CARE INSTITUTIONS AND MORE INCOME GENERATION FOR THE FAMILY 

SOCIAL STUDIES

PRIMARY 6 – FIRST TERM – WEEK 2

THEME – NATIONAL VALUES EDUCATION 

PREVIOUS LESSON – External Influence on Nigeria Family Life: Meaning of External Influence, Areas of External Influence on Nigerian Family Life, Positive and Negative Effects of External Influence | Primary 6 (Basic 6) First Term Week 1 Social Studies

TOPIC – THE INFLUENCE OF WORKING PARENTS ON NIGERIAN FAMILY

LEARNING AREA 

1. Introduction

2. Meaning of Working Parents

3. Influences of Working Parents on the Nigerian Family

4. Positive and Negative Effects of Working Parents

5. Weekly Assessment: Test Questions and Answers/Assignment

6. Summary

LEARNING OBJECTIVES 

By the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to:

1. Explain who working parents are.

2. Mention at least five ways working parents influence Nigerian family life.

3. Explain the importance of babysitters and day care institutions to working parents.

4. State how working parents can increase family income.

5. Mention some positive and negative effects of working parents on the family.

ENTRY BEHAVIOUR

Pupils have previously learned about the family, family members, their roles and responsibilities, and external influences on Nigerian family life.

This lesson builds on that knowledge by examining how parents who work outside the home influence family life, including the use of babysitters, day care institutions, family income, and the sharing of family responsibilities.

INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS

The teacher will teach the lesson with the aid of:

1. Pictures of working parents

2. Pictures of babysitters caring for children

3. Pictures of children in day care centres

4. Charts showing family responsibilities

5. Flashcards

6. Social Studies textbook

METHOD OF TEACHING

Choose a suitable and appropriate methods for the lessons.

Note – Irrespective of choosing methods of teaching, always introduce an activities that will arouse pupil’s interest or lead them to the lessons. 

REFERENCE MATERIALS

1. Scheme of Work

2. 9 – Years Basic Education Curriculum

3. Course Book

4. All Relevant Material

5. Online Information

CONTENT OF THE LESSON

INTRODUCTION

Many parents work in offices, schools, businesses, farms, shops, and other places to earn money for their families. When parents work, especially when both parents have jobs, it can affect how children are cared for and how family responsibilities are managed.

Some working parents use babysitters or day care centres to care for their young children while they are at work. Working parents can also generate more income to meet family needs such as food, education, clothing, housing, and health care.

In this lesson, pupils will learn about the influence of working parents on Nigerian family life, including the use of babysitters, placing children in day care institutions, increased family income, and other effects on family life.

LESSON 1 – MEANING OF WORKING PARENTS

Working parents are parents who have jobs or engage in businesses or other activities to earn income for the family.

In many Nigerian families, both parents may work outside the home. This can have positive and negative effects on family life.

INFLUENCES OF WORKING PARENTS ON THE NIGERIAN FAMILY

1. Use of Babysitters

Working parents may employ babysitters to care for their young children while they are at work.

Babysitters may help with feeding, bathing, supervision, and other basic needs of children.

However, parents should choose caregivers carefully and ensure that children are safe and properly cared for.

2. Putting Children in Day Care Institutions

Some working parents place young children in day care centres while they are at work.

Day care centres can provide children with:

• Supervision

• Basic care

• Opportunities to play and interact with other children

• Early learning activities

Parents should ensure that the day care centre is safe, suitable, and properly managed.

3. More Income Generation for the Family

Working parents can earn more income for the family. This can help families meet important needs such as:

• Food

• Clothing

• Education

• Housing

• Health care

• Transportation

4. Better Standard of Living

When parents earn sufficient income, the family may be able to afford better housing, education, health care, nutrition, and other necessities.

5. Sharing of Family Responsibilities

When both parents work, household responsibilities may be shared among family members.

Parents may organise their time and work together to care for the children and manage the home.

6. Less Time for Children

Working parents may have less time to spend with their children because of work schedules and other responsibilities.

If not properly managed, this may affect communication and family bonding.

Parents should make time to communicate with their children and participate in their lives.

7. Greater Independence for Family Members

Working parents may become more financially independent and better able to contribute to family needs.

Children may also learn useful skills such as responsibility, time management, and cooperation when family duties are properly shared.

8. Possible Stress

Combining work and family responsibilities can sometimes cause stress and tiredness.

Parents need to manage their time properly and cooperate with one another to maintain a healthy family life.

LESSON 2 – POSITIVE EFFECTS OF WORKING PARENTS

Working parents can:

1. Increase family income.

2. Improve children’s access to education and health care.

3. Provide better food and housing.

4. Encourage responsibility and cooperation.

5. Improve the family’s standard of living.

6. Reduce financial pressure when both parents contribute to family needs.

LESSON 3 – NEGATIVE EFFECTS OF WORKING PARENTS

Working parents may also experience challenges such as:

1. Less time with children.

2. Dependence on babysitters or caregivers.

3. Possible lack of proper supervision if caregivers are not carefully selected.

4. Stress and tiredness.

5. Difficulty balancing work and family responsibilities.

ON A FINAL NOTE 

• Working parents play an important role in supporting their families.

• Their employment can provide more income and improve the family’s standard of living, but it can also create challenges such as less time with children and the need for babysitters or day care.

• Parents should balance their work and family responsibilities and ensure that children receive proper care, attention, and protection.

WEEKLY ASSESSMENT: TEST QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS/ASSIGNMENT 

A. Multiple Choice Questions

1. Working parents are parents who ______.

A. do not work

B. have jobs or businesses to earn income

C. only stay at home

D. do not care for their children

2. A babysitter is a person employed to ______.

A. teach adults

B. build houses

C. care for children

D. sell food

3. Working parents may place young children in day care centres mainly to provide ______.

A. punishment

B. homework

C. entertainment only

D. care and supervision

4. One major benefit of working parents is ______.

A. increased family income

B. less food

C. poor housing

D. lack of education

5. Which of the following may be a challenge faced by working parents?

A. More family income

B. Less time with children

C. Better standard of living

D. Improved access to education

B. Fill in the Gaps

6. Parents who have jobs or businesses to earn money are called ______ parents.

7. A person employed to care for children is called a ______.

8. Working parents may put young children in ______ centres while they are at work.

9. Working parents can generate more ______ for the family.

10. Parents should choose caregivers carefully to ensure the ______ of their children.

C. True or False

11. Working parents can help reduce family income. ______

12. Babysitters can help care for children while parents are at work. ______

13. All day care centres are automatically safe for children. ______

14. Working parents may have less time to spend with their children. ______

15. Parents should balance their work and family responsibilities. ______

D. Matching

16. Working parents — A. A person employed to care for children

17. Family income — B. A place where young children receive care and supervision

18. Family responsibility — C. Parents who work to earn income for the family

19. Day care centre — D. Money earned by family members

20. Babysitter — E. Duties that family members perform to care for the family

ANSWER KEY

1. B – Have jobs or businesses to earn income

2. C – Care for children

3. D – Care and supervision

4. A – Increased family income

5. B – Less time with children

6. Working

7. Babysitter

8. Day care

9. Income

10. Safety

11. Fasle

12. True

13. False

14. True

15. True

16. Working parents — C. Parents who work to earn income for the family

17. Family income — D. Money earned by family members

18. Family responsibility — E. Duties that family members perform to care for the family

19. Day care centre — B. A place where young children receive care and supervision

20. Babysitter — A. A person employed to care for children

SUMMARY

In this lesson, pupils learned that working parents are parents who have jobs, businesses, or other income-generating activities.

They learned that working parents can influence Nigerian family life in several ways, including:

• Using babysitters to care for children.

• Putting young children in day care centres.

• Generating more income for the family.

• Improving the family’s standard of living.

• Sharing family responsibilities.

• Having less time to spend with children.

• Experiencing stress while balancing work and family responsibilities.

Pupils also learned that parents should carefully choose caregivers, ensure the safety of their children, and balance their work with family responsibilities.

PRESENTATION

To deliver the lesson, the teacher adopts the following steps:

Step 1: Introduction

The teacher asks pupils:

• What work do your parents or guardians do?

• Why do parents work?

• Who takes care of young children when their parents are at work?

• What can families use extra income for?

The teacher explains that many parents work to earn income for their families. When parents work, especially when both parents work, it can affect how children are cared for and how family responsibilities are handled.

Pupils’ Activities: Pupils answer the questions and share examples of jobs or businesses their parents engage in.

Step 2: Meaning of Working Parents

The teacher explains that working parents are parents who have jobs, businesses, or other activities that provide income for the family.

• Working parents may work in offices, schools, shops, farms, businesses, factories, or other places.

Pupils’ Activities: Pupils explain who working parents are and mention examples of jobs.

Step 3: Use of Babysitters

The teacher explains that some working parents employ babysitters to care for young children while they are at work.

• A babysitter may help with feeding, bathing, supervision, and other basic needs of children.

The teacher emphasises that parents should choose caregivers carefully and make sure children are safe and properly cared for.

Pupils’ Activities: Pupils explain the work of a babysitter and state why parents may need one.

Step 4: Use of Day Care Centres

The teacher explains that some working parents place young children in day care centres while they are at work.

Day care centres may provide:

• Care and supervision.

• Opportunities for play.

• Interaction with other children.

• Early learning activities.

Pupils’ Activities: Pupils mention activities children may participate in at a day care centre.

Step 5: More Income Generation

The teacher explains that when parents work, they can earn income to meet the needs of the family.

The income may be used for:

• Food

• Clothing

• Education

• Housing

• Health care

• Transportation

Pupils’ Activities: Pupils mention things families can use their income to provide.

Step 6: Better Standard of Living

The teacher explains that sufficient family income can improve the family’s standard of living.

• Working parents may be able to provide better food, education, housing, health care, and other necessities.

Pupils’ Activities: Pupils state some ways increased family income can improve family life.

Step 7: Sharing Family Responsibilities

The teacher explains that when both parents work, family responsibilities may be shared among family members.

• Parents can cooperate in caring for children, preparing meals, cleaning the home, and managing other household duties.

Pupils’ Activities: Pupils mention household duties that family members can share.

Step 8: Less Time with Children

The teacher explains that working parents may have less time to spend with their children because of work schedules.

• If this is not properly managed, it may affect communication and family bonding.

• Parents should make time to talk with their children, guide them, and participate in their lives.

Pupils’ Activities: Pupils explain why parents should make time for their children.

Step 9: Stress and Tiredness

The teacher explains that combining work and family responsibilities can sometimes make parents tired or stressed.

• Good time management, cooperation, and proper planning can help parents balance work and family life.

Pupils’ Activities: Pupils mention ways family members can help reduce pressure on working parents.

Step 10: Positive Effects of Working Parents

The teacher explains that working parents can:

• Increase family income.

• Improve children’s access to education and health care.

• Provide better food and housing.

• Encourage responsibility and cooperation.

• Improve the family’s standard of living.

• Reduce financial pressure when both parents contribute.

Pupils’ Activities: Pupils identify the positive effects of working parents.

Step 11: Negative Effects of Working Parents

The teacher explains that working parents may face challenges such as:

• Less time with children.

• Dependence on babysitters or caregivers.

• Possible poor supervision if caregivers are not carefully selected.

• Stress and tiredness.

• Difficulty balancing work and family responsibilities.

Pupils’ Activities: Pupils mention some challenges faced by working parents.

Step 12: Group Activity

The teacher divides pupils into three groups.

• Group 1: Mention five benefits of working parents to the family.

• Group 2: State four challenges faced by working parents.

• Group 3: Explain why parents may use babysitters or day care centres.

Each group presents its answers to the class.

Pupils’ Activities: Pupils discuss, write, and present their answers.

Step 13: Lesson Summary

The teacher reviews the meaning of working parents and their influence on family life, including babysitters, day care centres, increased income, family responsibilities, and time spent with children.

Pupils’ Activities: Pupils answer oral questions and summarise what they have learned.

Step 14: Evaluation

The teacher gives pupils a different set of 20 questions as oral questions, a quiz, take-home work, or a quick test to assess their understanding of the influence of working parents on Nigerian family life.

Pupils’ Activities: Pupils answer the questions individually or in groups.

CONCLUSION

To conclude the lesson for the week, the teacher revises the entire lesson and links it to the following week’s lesson.

NEXT LESSON

Intermarriage: Meaning of Intermarriage and Intra-Ethnic Marriage, Advantages and Disadvantages of Intermarriage and Intra-Ethnic Marriage, and Values That Foster Intermarriage | Primary 6 (Basic 6) First Term Week 3 Social Studies

LESSON EVALUATION 

Teacher asks pupils,

1. Who are working parents?

2. Mention four ways working parents influence family life.

3. State three reasons why working parents may use babysitters or day care centres.

4. Mention four benefits of working parents to the family.

5. State three challenges faced by working parents.

6. Why should parents carefully choose babysitters and day care centres for their children?