CBSE Class 4 EVS: Changing Families (NCERT Chapter 9)

What Causes Families to Change?

Families are not always the same. They grow and change for many reasons! One of the happiest reasons is the birth of a new baby. When a baby sister or brother arrives, the family gets bigger. There is a new little person to love and care for! Another big change happens because of a marriage. When someone in the family gets married, a new member joins the family, like a new aunty or uncle. This can change the family structure and bring new traditions. Sometimes, a family member might get a new job or a promotion in a different city. This is called a transfer. This means the family might have to move to a new place, a new house, and you might have to go to a new school. These are all big adventures that change how a family lives together.

Stories of Changing Families

• Nimmi's Family (A New Baby!): Nimmi is very excited because she has a new baby sister!
  Before: Her family had her father, mother, grandmother, and herself.
  Change: A new baby girl is born.
  After: The family now has one more member. Nimmi has a new role as a big sister! Her mother and father will be busy taking care of the baby. The whole family's routine will change to look after the little one.

• Tsering's Family (A Job Transfer): Tsering's father has been promoted and transferred to a new city.
  Before: Tsering lived with his father, mother, and sister in one city.
  Change: His father got a transfer to a new job in a different place.
  After: Tsering and his family will move to the new city. He will have to go to a new school and make new friends. His father will have a new office. They will live in a new house and explore a new place together.

• Nazli's Family (A Wedding): There is a wedding in Nazli's family. Her elder cousin brother is getting married.
  Before: Nazli lived in a joint family with her parents, uncle, aunt, and cousins.
  Change: Her cousin brother gets married.
  After: A new member, his wife (Nazli's new sister-in-law or 'bhabhi'), has come to live with them. The family has grown bigger. Everyone is happy to welcome the new bride.

Important Family Words

Family

A group of people who are related to each other, like parents, children, uncles, aunts, and grandparents, often living together and sharing their lives.

Nuclear Family

A family that includes only parents and their children living in one house.

Joint Family

A big family where grandparents, parents, uncles, aunts, and cousins all live together in the same house.

Migration

Moving from one place to live in another. This can be to another city or even another country.

Transfer

When a person is moved from one workplace to another by their company, which often means moving to a different city.

Remember This!

• Families change for many reasons, including births, deaths, marriages, and job transfers.
• When a new baby is born, it brings joy but also new responsibilities for everyone in the family.
• A marriage brings a new person into the family, adding to the family's size and relationships.
• Moving to a new city for a job (transfer) means adjusting to a new home, school, and environment.
• These changes are a normal and natural part of life. All families go through them at some point.

Practice Questions with Solutions

• Q: Who were the members of Nimmi's family before the arrival of her baby sister?
  A: Step 1: Recall the story of Nimmi's family from the chapter.
  Step 2: Identify the family members mentioned before the baby was born.
  Final answer: Before the arrival of her baby sister, Nimmi's family had her father, mother, grandmother, and Nimmi herself.

• Q: What will change in Tsering's family now that his father has a transfer?
  A: Step 1: Understand what a 'transfer' means. It means moving to a new place for work.
  Step 2: Think about all the things that change when you move to a new city.
  Final answer: Because of the transfer, Tsering's family will have to move to a new city. This means they will live in a new house, Tsering will go to a new school, and they will all have to make new friends.

• Q: A new bride came to Nazli's home. How did this change her family?
  A: Step 1: Remember the event in Nazli's family. It was a wedding.
  Step 2: Think about what happens when someone gets married and a new person joins the home.
  Final answer: When the new bride came to Nazli's home, her family grew by one member. Nazli got a new sister-in-law ('bhabhi'). The family became larger, and everyone was happy to welcome the new member.

• Q: Give two reasons why families might change.
  A: Step 1: Think about the stories of Nimmi, Tsering, and Nazli.
  Step 2: Identify the main event that caused the change in each family.
  Final answer: Two common reasons why families change are: 1. The birth of a new baby in the family. 2. A family member getting married and a new person joining the family. (Another correct answer could be a job transfer).

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