Activity： Helping at home

Group

Brownie Section

Time needed

60 minutes

Learning Goal

Members learn a variety of housework skills. They help clean up and decorate their homes.

Instructions

Leaders introduce different housework tasks as well as the basic skills of doing housework. The activity can be an assessment for house orderly badge.

*Leaders can assign different housework tasks according to members’ age. For example, younger members can help tidy up their rooms or wash clothes. Older members can help sweep the floor or cook food.

Game 1: Packing the luggage

Leaders prepare a variety of daily necessities, toys, clothes etc. and display them on the floor. Members are required to put all the things into a luggage within 5 minutes. Leaders give marks and decide who is the tidiest member.

Game 2: Relay Race on housework

Six members in a team to complete different housework tasks one by one. The team which uses the shortest time will win the game.

1. Sweeping the floor: Members are required to sweep a specific area. Leaders assess the tidiness of the place and decide if the team gets a pass for this session.
2. Cleaning the table: Members learn to tidy up after meal, e.g. clean the table as well as the utensils
3. Washing the dishes: Members choose to use suitable cleansing materials to wash dishes
4. Folding clothes: Members have to fold different kind of clothes e.g. dress, trousers, shirt, jacket in a proper way.
5. Using tools: Members understand the functions of oven, the use of cooking clip, ornamental mat and gloves. They also learn how to switch on/off the gas stove.
6. Using electrical appliances: Members learn the steps of using washing machine and the functions of buttons.

Reference:

Information on house orderly badge:

1. Help at home in the following ways for at least a month:

Tidy up your kitchen (e.g. utensils, stove, cupboard)

Stove – avoid cleaning the stove during cooking or right after cooking, so as to prevent burning. Generally. the cleanser bought in the market can clean grease effectively.

Cupboard – Take out all the tools and utensils from the cupboard and clean them regularly.

Wash your clothes ( e.g. socks)

Use detergent to soak the socks for a while. Wipe and rub the socks. Wash them in clean water.

Tidy up after meal

Wash the dishes after meals as soon as possible. Otherwise, it is difficult to clean the food residue when they get dry. Use a cloth and detergent to wash the dishes and clean them with water.

*With the help of a log book, record what you did with photos and ask your parent to certify it. Give it to the Assessor during the assessment

*Parent can download a written notification or a form from the HKGGA Website

2. Complete one of the following tasks:

Use a vacuum cleaner

Vacuum cleaner is very common at home and it is easy to use. Connect with power supply and then switch it on. A vacuum cleaner can suck up dust and dirt, usually from floors, and from other surfaces such as upholstery and draperies.

Clean the refrigerator

When cleaning up any electrical appliances, it is necessary to switch off the power supply to avoid wasting power and causing electric shock.

Use a washing machine

Check carefully if any item is left in the pocket. Separate the clothes according to colors and materials, put the clothes in the washing machine, adjust “water temperature”, “time” etc., switch off the machine when finish washing.

Which elements of the method are used, and how?

☑ My path, my pace – Members can choose the job they are most interested in and consolidate their skills.

☑ Learning by doing – Members practice the skills at home and reduce the burden of family.

How does the method give youth members a chance to take the lead?

Members learn to be a considerate and responsible person. They share the burden of family members at home.

How can you connect this activity to the values of Girl Guiding and Girl Scouting?

Discuss with members on how they can help with housework at home. They are able to contribute as a part of family.