Course Plan: House and Home Class for Kids

This course is designed to teach children about the different parts of a house, their functions, and how to keep a home safe. Through hands-on activities and discussions, kids will gain a better understanding of how houses work and how they protect the people who live in them.

Course Objectives

1. Teach children about the components of a house and their purposes.
2. Introduce basic knowledge about heating, cooling, plumbing, electrical, and structural systems.
3. Emphasize the importance of home safety and introduce essential safety tools.

Course Outline

Week 1: What Is in Your House?

Topics Covered:

• What makes a house a home?
• Common areas in a house: living room, kitchen, bedroom, bathroom, etc.
• Objects and appliances found in different rooms and their uses.

Activity:

• Room Detective: Create a checklist and have kids list or draw items they find in their favorite room at home.
• Design Your Dream Room: Let kids sketch or craft their ideal room layout.

Week 2: Explore the Parts of a House

Topics Covered:

• Heating and Cooling: How furnaces, air conditioners, and fans keep a house comfortable.
• Windows: Light, ventilation, and energy efficiency.
• Plumbing: Pipes and water flow—how water gets in and out of a house.
• Electrical: Wires, outlets, and switches—how electricity powers a home.
• Insulation: How it keeps the house warm in winter and cool in summer.
• Structural Elements: Walls, roof, and foundation—how they keep the house standing.

Activity:

• Parts of the House Poster: Provide a blank house template. Have kids label and color different parts as you discuss their functions.
• DIY Plumbing Simulation: Use straws and cups of water to show how plumbing works.

Week 3: Keeping Your Home Safe

Topics Covered:

• Fire Safety: Fire extinguishers, smoke alarms, escape plans.
• Gas Safety: Natural gas and carbon monoxide detectors.
• Emergency Preparedness: What to do in an emergency (e.g., calling 911, knowing exits).
• Everyday Safety: Locking doors and keeping hazardous items out of reach.

Activity:

• Home Safety Kit: Create a pretend safety kit with printouts or toys representing items like a fire extinguisher, detector, and first-aid kit.
• Alarm Simulation: Use a toy or craft materials to create a simple “alarm” system for fun and better understanding.

Week 4: Hands-On Learning and Reflection

Topics Covered:

• Revisiting the parts of a house and how they keep us comfortable.
• Reflecting on home safety tools and their importance.
• Encouraging kids to share their learning at home.

Activity:

• Build a Mini House: Use cardboard or construction paper to create a model house, labeling parts like windows, roof, and plumbing.
• Safety Inspection Role-Play: Kids act as “home inspectors,” identifying safety items (like a smoke detector or fire extinguisher) in a classroom setup or their real homes.

Materials Needed

• Blank house templates
• Colored pencils, crayons, and markers
• Straws, cups, and water for plumbing simulation
• Cardboard or construction paper for mini houses
• Printouts or toy versions of safety equipment (fire extinguisher, alarms, etc.)

Skills Gained

• Awareness of household systems and their roles.
• Understanding the importance of home safety.
• Problem-solving and creativity through hands-on projects.

This course provides a foundational understanding of homes and safety, helping kids appreciate how houses work and how to keep them secure. Let me know if you’d like to expand any section!