How do families change?
How did this family change?
How is it similar to or different from your family?
![Parents with a new born baby (and a dog)](graphics/families_change1.gif)
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New born
When babies are born they need lots of love and care from their parents and other people who look after them.
One year old
Babies grow and change quickly. They can play and explore by the time they are 1, with an older person like mum or dad close by.
Three or four years old
At 3 or 4 years old they might go to day care or pre-school and can do many things all by themselves. But it's still important to have someone to hold their hand.
Brothers and sisters
Sometimes there are brothers and sisters or cousins to share with. Sometimes people in families live far away from each other.
Six years old
By 6 years old they are off to school—learning, playing and making friends.
Primary school
Through primary school there's so much to learn at school and at home but they still need their families.
Teenagers
Teenagers at high school have hard work to do. They like to spend lots of time with friends as well as their families.
After school
After leaving school there's a job or more study.
New family members
Families change when new people join.
Family celebrations
Families may celebrate in big groups or in small. It's just good to be together.
Grandparents
As the years go by parents get older and they might become grandparents. How families change!