BSEB Inter Home Science cheat sheet
BSEB Inter Home Science · Keep the key ideas within reach.
Family and Community Health and Hygiene
Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being, not merely the absence of disease (WHO definition).
Personal hygiene components: daily bathing, oral care twice daily, handwashing with soap before eating and after toilet use, clean nails, and clean clothing.
Handwashing steps: wet hands, apply soap, scrub palms, backs, between fingers and under nails for at least 20 seconds, rinse, then dry with a clean cloth.
Safe drinking water: boiling for 10-15 minutes, chlorination (bleaching powder), filtration, or use of UV purifiers; storage must be in covered containers with a ladle, not by dipping hands.
Communicable diseases spread by air (tuberculosis, influenza), water and food (cholera, typhoid, diarrhoea), vectors (malaria by Anopheles mosquito, dengue by Aedes), and contact (scabies, ringworm).
Vector control: eliminate stagnant water to prevent mosquito breeding, use mosquito nets, cover stored water, and keep drains flowing.
Immunization schedule awareness: BCG and OPV at birth; DPT, OPV and hepatitis B at 6, 10 and 14 weeks; measles-rubella at 9-12 months and 16-24 months; boosters at 16-24 months and 5-6 years.
Food hygiene rules: wash fruits and vegetables, keep cooked food covered, separate raw and cooked food, reheat leftovers thoroughly, and avoid roadside uncovered food.
Community health resources in India: sub-centre, Primary Health Centre (PHC), Community Health Centre (CHC), Anganwadi, ASHA worker, and district hospital, in ascending order of services.
Food, Nutrition and Dietetics
Macronutrients: carbohydrates (4 kcal/g), proteins (4 kcal/g), fats (9 kcal/g); vitamins and minerals supply no energy.
Balanced diet = cereals, pulses, vegetables, fruits, milk and milk products, fats and oils, and sugar in proportions recommended by the food pyramid.
Protein quality: animal proteins (egg, milk, meat, fish) are complete; most cereals and pulses are limiting in lysine or methionine, so cereal-pulse combinations improve quality.
Deficiency diseases: vitamin A - night blindness; vitamin D - rickets in children, osteomalacia in adults; vitamin B1 - beriberi; vitamin C - scurvy; iron - anaemia; iodine - goitre; protein-energy - kwashiorkor and marasmus.
Fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, K need dietary fat for absorption and are stored in the liver; water-soluble B-complex and C are not stored and must be eaten daily.
Calcium sources: milk, curd, ragi, sesame seeds, green leafy vegetables; absorption needs vitamin D and is reduced by excess phytates and oxalates.
Iron absorption is enhanced by vitamin C and animal protein and inhibited by tea, coffee, phytates and calcium taken at the same meal.
Therapeutic diets: diabetes - high fibre, low simple sugar, regular meal timing; hypertension - low sodium (DASH pattern); obesity - energy deficit with adequate protein; diarrhoea - clear fluids, ORS, low-residue foods.
Food preservation methods: drying, salting, sugaring, pickling in acid, refrigeration, freezing, canning, and pasteurization; each works by removing water, lowering pH, or killing or inhibiting microorganisms.
Human Development and Family Studies
Development principles: development is lifelong, proceeds from head to foot (cephalocaudal) and from centre to periphery (proximodistal), and is influenced by heredity and environment.
Prenatal stages: germinal (first 2 weeks), embryonic (weeks 3-8, organ formation), fetal (week 9 to birth, growth and maturation).
Infancy (0-2 years): rapid physical growth, trust versus mistrust (Erikson), reflexes such as rooting and sucking, and attachment formation.
Early childhood (2-6 years): symbolic play, egocentric thought (Piaget's preoperational stage), initiative versus guilt, and readiness for school skills.
Middle childhood (6-12 years): industry versus inferiority, concrete operational reasoning, peer group importance, and growth of motor skills.
Adolescence (12-19 years): puberty and sexual maturation, formal operational thought, identity versus role confusion, and strong peer influence.
Family functions: reproduction, socialization, economic support, emotional security, and care of dependents; family types include nuclear, joint, and extended.
Parenting styles: authoritative (high warmth, high control) generally gives best outcomes; authoritarian, permissive and uninvolved styles carry other risks.
Old age: decline in sensory acuity and muscle mass, need for social support and adjusted housing; Erikson's stage is integrity versus despair.
Textiles, Clothing and Fashion Design
Natural fibres: cotton (cellulose, absorbent, strong when wet), wool (protein, warm, felts, weak when wet), silk (protein filament, lustrous, strong), jute (cellulose, coarse).
Regenerated fibres: rayon and viscose from cellulose; synthetic fibres: polyester, nylon, acrylic - strong, quick-drying, non-absorbent, thermoplastic.
Yarn twist increases strength and reduces softness; warp yarns run lengthwise and need more twist than weft yarns.
Weaves: plain (strongest, simplest), twill (diagonal rib, durable), satin (floats give lustre but snag easily); knits stretch because of loop structure.
Fabric finishes: mercerization (cotton lustre and strength), calendering (smoothness), sanforization (shrink resistance), water-repellent and flame-retardant finishes.
Body measurements needed for a basic bodice: bust, waist, hip, shoulder width, back length, front length, and sleeve length.
Pattern symbols: grain line, fold line, notches, dart, seam allowance, and cutting line must be interpreted before cutting fabric.
Fashion cycle stages: introduction, rise, peak, decline, obsolescence; elements of design are line, shape, colour, texture and space.
Colour schemes: monochromatic, analogous, complementary, split-complementary, and triadic; value, hue and intensity are the three dimensions of colour.
Home Management
Management process: planning, organizing, implementing, and evaluating - applied to household work as to any organization.
Resources are classified as human (time, energy, knowledge, skills, attitudes) and non-human (money, goods, property, community facilities).
Time management tools: daily work plan, peak-load planning, dovetailing tasks, and standardizing repetitive work.
Fatigue types: physiological (muscular), psychological (monotony, worry) and fatigue from poor posture; work simplification reduces all three.
Principles of work simplification: eliminate unnecessary work, combine tasks, change sequence, and simplify motions (Mundel's class-change concept).
Ergonomics in the home: work triangle in the kitchen links sink, hob and refrigerator; counter heights should match the user's elbow height.
Budget types: balanced, surplus, deficit; steps are estimating income, listing fixed and flexible expenses, allocating savings, and reviewing.
Records and accounts help control expenditure; fixed expenses recur regularly while flexible expenses can be adjusted.
Family Resource Management and Consumer Education
Decision-making steps: identify the problem, list alternatives, examine resources, choose, act, and evaluate the outcome.
Resource allocation follows the principle of diminishing marginal utility; the first unit of a resource yields more satisfaction than later units.
Consumer rights (Consumer Protection Act 2019): safety, information, choice, being heard, redressal, consumer education, and protection against unfair trade practices.
Consumer responsibilities: check standard marks (ISI, Agmark, FSSAI, Hallmark), insist on a cash memo, read labels, and compare unit prices.
Redressal machinery under the 2019 Act: District Commission, State Commission, and National Commission, with pecuniary limits set by government notification.
Advertising techniques to recognize: bandwagon appeal, celebrity endorsement, false urgency, bait offers, and misleading 'free' claims.
Savings and investment options: post office savings, recurring deposits, fixed deposits, PPF, and micro-insurance; compare interest rate, liquidity and risk.
Standard marks in India: ISI for industrial goods, Agmark for agricultural produce, FSSAI for food, Hallmark for gold jewellery, and Ecomark for environment-friendly products.
Housing, Interior Decoration and Home Furnishings
Housing functions: shelter and protection, privacy, space for family activities, and a base for health and social life.
Site selection factors: drainage, soil type, water supply, sunlight and wind direction, accessibility, and freedom from pollution and flooding.
Principles of house planning: orientation, cross-ventilation, adequate lighting, privacy, circulation, and economy of construction.
Ventilation rates and window area: a window area of roughly one-tenth to one-fifth of floor area is a commonly used guide for daylight and air.
Interior design principles: proportion, scale, balance (symmetrical and asymmetrical), rhythm, emphasis, and harmony.
Colour effects: light colours make small rooms look larger; warm colours advance, cool colours recede; ceilings look higher when painted lighter than walls.
Lighting types: direct, indirect, semi-direct and diffused; task lighting for study and kitchen work, ambient lighting for general use.
Furnishings: curtains (length, fullness ratio, lining), floor coverings (dhurrie, carpet, rugs), and slip covers; fabric choice depends on sunlight, wear and cleaning.
Kitchen work centres: sink, preparation, cooking and storage; the work triangle should be compact and free of cross-traffic.
Child Care, Early Childhood Education and Parenting
Care of the newborn: warmth, breastfeeding within one hour, exclusive breastfeeding for six months, cord care, and immunization.
Weaning (complementary feeding) starts at six months with mashed cereal-pulse mixes, fruits, and continued breastfeeding up to two years.
Growth monitoring uses weight-for-age, height-for-age and mid-upper arm circumference; growth charts detect faltering early.
Developmental milestones: social smile by 6-8 weeks, head holding by 3 months, sitting by 6-8 months, walking by 12-15 months, two-word phrases by 2 years.
Play types: solitary, parallel, associative and cooperative; play develops motor, cognitive, language and social skills.
Preschool curriculum areas: language, number, environmental awareness, creative arts, music and movement, and health habits.
Montessori and kindergarten approaches differ: Montessori uses self-correcting materials and mixed-age groups; kindergarten uses structured group activities.
Discipline should be positive: set clear limits, use natural consequences, praise desired behaviour, and avoid physical punishment.
Common childhood illnesses: diarrhoea, respiratory infection, fever, worms, and skin infections; ORS and zinc are used for diarrhoea.
Community Development, Extension Education and Communication
Community development aims at improving living standards through people's participation, self-help and use of local resources.
Extension education is informal, out-of-school education for adults and youth, based on the needs and problems of the people.
Extension teaching methods: individual (home visit, farm visit), group (demonstration, method demonstration, group meeting), and mass (radio, television, poster, exhibition, newspaper).
Steps in extension programme planning: collect facts, analyse the situation, identify problems, set objectives, plan activities, execute, and evaluate.
Communication process elements: sender, message, channel, receiver, feedback and noise; effective communication needs clear, simple, locally understood language.
Adoption process stages: awareness, interest, evaluation, trial and adoption; innovators, early adopters, early majority, late majority and laggards are adopter categories.
Audio-visual aids: charts, flash cards, flannel board, puppets, models, posters, and projected aids; selection depends on audience size and literacy.
Rural institutions: Panchayati Raj, self-help groups, cooperatives, and youth clubs; SHGs support micro-credit and women's empowerment.
Barriers to communication: physical, semantic, psychological and cultural; feedback is the main tool to detect and correct them.
Practical/Applied Home Science and Project Work
A project report structure: title, introduction, objectives, review of relevant information, methodology, observations or results, discussion, conclusion, and references.
Home Science practical areas: meal planning and preparation, textile and clothing construction, child development observation, home furnishing, and extension activities.
Meal planning steps: assess family needs (age, sex, activity, special conditions), select foods from all groups, fix portions, cost the menu, and check nutrient adequacy.
Recipe standardization: fixed measures, standard method, tested yield, and sensory evaluation on appearance, flavour, texture and acceptability.
Clothing construction practical: take measurements, draft or use a commercial pattern, cut with seam allowance, stitch, finish seams, and press at each stage.
Child study methods: observation, anecdotal record, time sampling, and case study; each needs prior consent and confidentiality.
Hygiene and safety in practical work: wash hands, sanitize work surfaces, use clean utensils, keep raw and cooked foods separate, and handle sharp tools carefully.
Sensory evaluation uses a score card with a 5-point or 9-point scale; panel members should be tested for sensitivity to basic tastes.
Evaluation of a project uses both process (how it was done) and product (outcome) criteria, with evidence such as photographs, samples, and records.
Food, Nutrition and Dietetics
Nutrient functions: carbohydrates and fats supply energy; proteins build and repair tissues; vitamins and minerals regulate body processes; water is the medium for all reactions.
Energy requirement depends on basal metabolic rate, physical activity and specific dynamic action of food (about 10 per cent of energy intake).
Dietary guidelines for Indians: eat a variety of foods, plenty of vegetables and fruits, adequate milk and pulses, limited fat, sugar and salt, and safe water.
Food groups used in Indian meal planning: cereals and millets, pulses and legumes, milk and meat, fruits and vegetables, fats and sugars.
Food spoilage causes: microorganisms, enzymes, oxidation, insects and rodents; safe storage uses low temperature, low moisture and airtight containers.
Adulteration tests: starch in milk (iodine test), chalk in flour, artificial colour in spices (water test), and excess water in milk (lactometer).
Nutritional problems in India: undernutrition, iron-deficiency anaemia, vitamin A deficiency, iodine deficiency disorders, and rising obesity and diabetes.
National nutrition programmes: ICDS (Anganwadi supplementary nutrition), Mid-Day Meal/PM POSHAN, and Poshan Abhiyaan for maternal and child nutrition.
Textiles, Clothing and Fashion Design
Stain removal principles: identify the stain, test the remover on a hidden part, work from the back of the fabric, use cold water for protein stains and warm water for greasy stains.
Laundry steps: sorting, soaking, washing, rinsing, starching, drying, ironing and storage; wool and silk need mild soap and no strong wringing.
Ironing temperatures: cotton high, linen highest, silk and wool low, synthetics lowest; use a pressing cloth for delicate fabrics.
Drafting versus draping: drafting uses body measurements on paper; draping shapes fabric directly on a dress form.
Types of seams: plain, French, flat-fell, and run-and-fell; French and flat-fell seams enclose raw edges and give a neat finish.
Fasteners: buttons, hooks and eyes, press studs, zips and velcro; choice depends on position, fabric weight and ease of use.
Fashion terminology: silhouette, haute couture, prêt-à-porter, boutique, and accessory; fashion changes with season, economy and social trends.
Textile care labels use five symbols for washing, bleaching, drying, ironing and dry cleaning.
Home Management
Household work categories: production (cooking, sewing), consumption (shopping, budgeting), and service (cleaning, child care).
Ergonomic principles: avoid bending and stretching, keep frequently used items within easy reach, and use both hands symmetrically.
Labour-saving devices: pressure cooker, mixer-grinder, washing machine, vacuum cleaner and microwave; each saves time and energy but needs correct use.
Kitchen layout types: one-wall, corridor, L-shaped, U-shaped and island; choice depends on available space and traffic flow.
Work simplification techniques: standardizing, pre-preparation, combining tasks, and scheduling heavy work for high-energy periods.
Money management steps: preparing a budget, maintaining accounts, controlling expenditure, and saving for emergencies.
Resource conservation at home: switch off unused lights, repair leaks, reuse water where safe, and use energy-efficient appliances.
Evaluation of household work uses time spent, energy used and satisfaction gained as criteria.
Family Resource Management and Consumer Education
Consumer buying decision stages: need recognition, information search, evaluation of alternatives, purchase, and post-purchase evaluation.
Types of consumer problems: adulteration, short weight, misleading advertisement, defective goods, and poor after-sales service.
Filing a consumer complaint needs: name and address of the opposite party, facts of the case, evidence such as bill or warranty, and the relief claimed.
Consumer organizations and standards bodies: Bureau of Indian Standards, Food Safety and Standards Authority of India, and Consumer Protection Councils.
Unit pricing helps compare value across package sizes; the larger pack is not always cheaper per unit.
Label information to check: ingredients, net weight, date of manufacture and expiry, batch number, storage instructions, and FSSAI licence number.
Budgeting for a family: distinguish fixed, flexible and emergency expenses; keep an emergency fund of several months' expenses.
Insurance and savings protect the family against risk; life, health and property insurance cover different risks.
Housing, Interior Decoration and Home Furnishings
House plans should separate zones: living or social, sleeping or private, and service or work zones.
Privacy can be secured by planning, screens, curtains, level changes and planting.
Natural lighting depends on window orientation; north light is even and cool, while west light brings afternoon heat.
Furniture arrangement rules: keep traffic paths clear, group furniture for conversation, and avoid blocking windows and doors.
Wall decoration: paint, distemper, wallpaper, murals and wall hangings; washable finishes suit kitchens and children's rooms.
Floor coverings: dhurries, rugs and wall-to-wall carpets; underlay increases comfort and life of carpet.
Accessories in interiors: cushions, curtains, lamps, plants and pictures; they should repeat colour or texture for harmony.
Maintenance of furnishings: vacuum carpets, wash curtains seasonally, rotate mattresses, and protect wood from sunlight and damp.
Child Care, Early Childhood Education and Parenting
Rights of the child (UNCRC): survival and development, protection, participation, and non-discrimination.
Care of the mother: antenatal check-ups, iron-folic acid tablets, rest, balanced diet, and institutional delivery.
Breastfeeding advantages: complete nutrition, antibodies, easy digestion, bonding, and lower infection risk; colostrum should not be discarded.
Toilet training readiness signs: staying dry for two hours, showing discomfort with wet nappy, and ability to follow simple instructions.
Early childhood education aims: physical-motor, language, cognitive, socio-emotional, and creative development.
Learning materials for young children: blocks, puzzles, beads, clay, sand, picture books and role-play props; they should be safe and age-appropriate.
Parenting tasks: providing nutrition, health care, safety, affection, guidance and education; parental involvement improves school readiness.
Child abuse signs: unexplained injuries, fear of adults, sudden behaviour change; adults should listen, reassure and report to authorities.
Community Development, Extension Education and Communication
Extension programme steps: situation analysis, objective setting, plan of work, execution, and evaluation, with people's participation throughout.
Demonstration types: method demonstration shows how to do a task step by step; result demonstration shows the outcome of a practice.
Communication channels: interpersonal (face-to-face), group and mass media; interpersonal is best for persuasion, mass media for awareness.
Adoption categories and approximate share: innovators 2.5 per cent, early adopters 13.5 per cent, early majority 34 per cent, late majority 34 per cent, laggards 16 per cent.
Characteristics of a good extension worker: local language skill, empathy, technical knowledge, and ability to organize group activities.
Role of SHGs: savings, credit, income generation, and women's participation in local decisions.
Evaluation types in extension: formative (during the programme) and summative (at the end); indicators include knowledge gain, adoption and income change.
Audio-visual aid selection: match the aid to the message, audience literacy, group size and available power supply.
Practical/Applied Home Science and Project Work
Meal preparation practical: plan the menu, list ingredients, check cost, prepare hygienically, serve attractively, and evaluate with a score card.
Clothing practical: prepare a sample of seams, darts, plackets, collars and fasteners before making a garment.
Child development practical: observe a child at play, record behaviour in an anecdotal record with date, time and setting.
Interior decoration practical: prepare a colour board, furniture layout on graph paper, and a sample of curtain fabric.
Extension practical: prepare a chart, poster or flash card on a health or nutrition topic and test it on a small group.
Project report writing: state objectives in measurable terms, describe methods precisely, present data in tables, and interpret findings.
Hygiene in practicals: sanitize surfaces, wash hands before handling food, use separate boards for raw and cooked food, and clean tools after use.
Evaluation criteria for practicals: accuracy, neatness, hygiene, time management, use of resources, and presentation.
Documentation: keep a practical record book with dated entries, recipes, samples, observations and conclusions.
Human Development and Family Studies
Heredity and environment interact: heredity sets potential, environment determines how far it is realized.
Prenatal risk factors: maternal malnutrition, smoking, alcohol, infections, radiation and certain drugs can harm the fetus.
Attachment types (Ainsworth): secure, insecure-avoidant, insecure-ambivalent and disorganized.
Piaget's stages: sensorimotor (0-2), preoperational (2-7), concrete operational (7-11), formal operational (11 and above).
Erikson's psychosocial stages include trust, autonomy, initiative, industry, identity, intimacy, generativity and integrity.
Adolescent concerns: identity formation, peer pressure, body image, and reproductive health education.
Family life cycle stages: beginning family, expanding family, contracting family, and ageing family.
Ageing changes: reduced vision and hearing, slower reaction time, bone loss, and need for social contact and safe housing.
Food, Nutrition and Dietetics
Recommended dietary allowances are set for age, sex, physiological state (pregnancy, lactation) and activity level.
Protein-energy malnutrition: marasmus from severe energy and protein deficit with wasting; kwashiorkor from protein deficit with oedema and fatty liver.
Obesity management: reduce energy intake, increase physical activity, choose high-fibre low-fat foods, and set realistic weight goals.
Diabetes diet: distribute carbohydrates evenly, prefer complex carbohydrates and fibre, avoid refined sugar, and time meals with medication.
Hypertension diet: restrict sodium, increase potassium-rich fruits and vegetables, limit fried and processed foods, and control weight.
Pregnancy diet: extra energy, protein, iron, folic acid, calcium and iodine; avoid alcohol and tobacco.
Lactation diet: extra energy and fluids, calcium and protein; continue a varied diet and avoid unnecessary food restrictions.
ORS preparation: one packet or the correct measure of salt and sugar in the specified volume of safe water; too much sugar worsens diarrhoea.
Community Development, Extension Education and Communication
Community needs assessment methods: survey, interview, observation, group discussion and secondary data review.
Programme planning principles: base the plan on felt needs, involve local people, set achievable objectives, and use local resources.
Teaching aids for low-literacy audiences: pictures, models, puppets, drama, songs and demonstrations rather than printed text.
Feedback methods: question-and-answer sessions, group discussion, observation of practice, and follow-up visits.
Leadership in the community: formal leaders hold office; informal leaders influence by respect and example.
Coordination with other agencies: health, education, agriculture and local government departments avoid duplication of effort.
Sustainability of programmes depends on local participation, training of local volunteers, and continuing support after the project ends.
Textiles, Clothing and Fashion Design
Figure types and fitting: identify body variations such as sloping shoulders, prominent bust, round back, and adjust patterns accordingly.
Alteration principle: adjust the pattern and cut fabric rather than try to correct a finished garment.
Fabric selection for garments depends on end use, drape, durability, care, comfort and cost.
Trimming and finishing: bias binding, piping, facing, interfacing, and hemming stitches; a hem should be invisible on the right side.
Sustainable textiles: natural fibres, organic cotton, recycling of fabric waste, and reduced use of synthetic dyes.
Traditional Indian textiles: Banarasi silk, Chanderi, Kanjeevaram, Bandhani, Kalamkari and Phulkari, each with distinct technique and region.
Fashion illustration uses a croquis figure; technical drawing shows garment details flat for production.
Care of clothes: air after wearing, store clean and dry, use naphthalene or neem for woollens, and mend promptly.
Housing, Interior Decoration and Home Furnishings
Building materials: bricks, cement, concrete, timber, glass and steel; choice depends on strength, cost, climate and availability.
Foundation must be below the frost line or on firm soil; poor drainage causes dampness and cracks.
Damp-proof course prevents moisture rising in walls; ventilation and sunlight reduce indoor damp.
Roof types: flat, pitched, and sloped; pitched roofs shed rain better in heavy-rainfall areas.
Interior colour schemes: analogous colours sit next to each other on the colour wheel; complementary colours are opposite and create contrast.
Furniture materials: wood, plywood, particle board, cane, metal and plastic; each has different strength, cost and care needs.
Kitchen storage: store frequently used items at waist to eye level, heavy items low, and keep work surfaces clear.
Home safety features: non-slip flooring in bathrooms, grab bars, adequate lighting on stairs, and safe electrical wiring.
Child Care, Early Childhood Education and Parenting
Low-birth-weight and preterm babies need warmth (kangaroo mother care), early breastfeeding support and close monitoring.
Immunization side effects: mild fever and soreness are common; serious reactions need medical attention.
Oral rehydration and feeding during illness: continue breastfeeding and feeding, give extra fluids, and seek care for danger signs.
Danger signs in children: unable to feed, convulsions, lethargy, fast breathing, and severe diarrhoea or vomiting.
Language development: cooing, babbling, first words around one year, and two-word sentences around two years; talk and read to children daily.
School readiness: physical health, motor skills, language, number sense, social skills and emotional confidence.
Positive guidance techniques: give choices, explain reasons briefly, redirect behaviour, and be consistent.
Parenting adolescents: listen without judging, set reasonable limits, respect privacy, and discuss risks such as substance use.
Family Resource Management and Consumer Education
Time management tools: to-do list, calendar, priority matrix, and time log to find where time is spent.
Energy management: plan demanding tasks for peak energy, rest between heavy tasks, and use good posture to reduce fatigue.
Money management: prepare a budget, track spending, save regularly, and avoid borrowing for consumption.
Consumer protection in e-commerce: check seller details, return policy, and pay through secure methods.
Standardization marks and labels help consumers judge quality; a missing mark on a product that requires one is a warning sign.
Consumer education topics: rights and responsibilities, wise buying, food safety, and financial literacy.
Family decision-making: shared decisions increase commitment; children can participate in small choices according to age.
Human Development and Family Studies
Growth is measurable increase in size; development is change in function and skill.
Motor development order: head control, rolling, sitting, crawling, standing, walking.
Social development in infancy: recognition of familiar faces, stranger anxiety around 7-9 months, and social referencing.
Cognitive development in early childhood: symbolic play, egocentrism, and gradual understanding of conservation in middle childhood.
Adolescent physical changes: growth spurt, secondary sexual characteristics, and differences in timing between boys and girls.
Family as a socializing agent: teaches values, roles, language and coping skills through interaction.
Sibling and peer relationships influence social skills, cooperation and conflict resolution.
Old age support: family care, community services, and government schemes for older persons.
Home Management
Planning makes work easier by deciding what, when, how and by whom a task is done before starting.
Organizing arranges resources and tasks; implementing carries out the plan; evaluation compares results with goals.
Standards of living depend on income, education, health, housing and access to services.
Household equipment selection criteria: need, cost, durability, ease of use, safety, and after-sales service.
Safety in the home: keep medicines and sharp tools out of children's reach, use rubber mats near wet areas, and check electrical cords.
First aid basics: clean and cover cuts, cool burns with running water, and do not apply oil or toothpaste to burns.
Waste management at home: segregate wet and dry waste, compost kitchen waste, and avoid single-use plastic.
Practical/Applied Home Science and Project Work
Sensory evaluation score card: rate appearance, colour, aroma, taste, texture and overall acceptability on a fixed scale.
Food preservation practical: prepare jam, squash, pickle or papad, record recipe, yield and storage life.
Textile practical: test fibre by burning test - cotton smells of burnt paper, wool of burnt hair, polyester melts into a bead.
Laundry practical: remove common stains such as tea, ink, grease and blood using correct reagents and record results.
Child study practical: prepare a milestone checklist and record observations of a child at a chosen age.
Extension practical: organize a small demonstration or exhibition and record attendance, questions and feedback.
Project evaluation should include objectives achieved, resources used, difficulties faced, and suggestions for improvement.
Record keeping: date every entry, write clearly, and attach samples or photographs as evidence.
Food, Nutrition and Dietetics
Digestion begins in the mouth for carbohydrates (salivary amylase); proteins begin in the stomach (pepsin); fats are mainly digested in the small intestine with bile.
Absorption of most nutrients occurs in the small intestine; water and some salts are absorbed in the large intestine.
Balanced vegetarian diet needs complementary proteins, vitamin B12 from fortified foods or supplements, and adequate iron with vitamin C.
Food safety temperatures: keep hot foods above 60 degrees Celsius and cold foods below 5 degrees Celsius.
Five keys to safer food (WHO): keep clean, separate raw and cooked, cook thoroughly, keep food at safe temperatures, and use safe water and raw materials.
Nutrition labelling: check energy, protein, fat, carbohydrate, sugar and salt per 100 grams to compare products.
Dietary fibre lowers risk of constipation and helps control blood sugar and cholesterol; sources are whole grains, pulses, fruits and vegetables.
Community Development, Extension Education and Communication
Health education topics for the community: safe water, sanitation, handwashing, immunization, maternal care and nutrition.
Sanitation practices: use of toilets, safe disposal of waste, and drainage of stagnant water.
Role of the Anganwadi worker: supplementary nutrition, preschool education, health check-ups, referral and nutrition education.
Role of ASHA: community health link, antenatal and postnatal follow-up, immunization support and health awareness.
Group discussion as a method: encourages participation, shares experiences and helps reach decisions.
Publicity methods: wall writing, announcements, posters, and local fairs; messages should be short and in the local language.
Monitoring and follow-up: regular visits and records help track progress and correct problems early.
Housing, Interior Decoration and Home Furnishings
Interior decoration is the art of arranging furnishings and finishes for beauty and comfort; interior design also considers structure and function.
Scale and proportion: furniture should suit room size; a large sofa in a small room crowds it.
Balance types: symmetrical (formal), asymmetrical (informal), and radial (around a central point).
Rhythm in interiors is created by repetition, gradation, transition and radiation.
Window treatments: curtains, drapes, blinds and valances; curtain fullness is usually two to two and a half times the window width.
Lighting fixtures: ceiling, pendant, wall, floor and table lamps; layer ambient, task and accent lighting.
Flooring materials: tiles, marble, wood, cement and vinyl; wet areas need non-slip, water-resistant flooring.
Maintenance and cleaning of interiors: dust regularly, clean spills at once, and protect surfaces from heat and water.
Child Care, Early Childhood Education and Parenting
Family types affect child care: joint families share caregiving; nuclear families need planned support.
Child care settings: home care, family day care, crèche and preschool; quality depends on caregiver training and child-adult ratio.
Play materials should be safe: no sharp edges, non-toxic paint, and size large enough to prevent choking in young children.
Early identification of developmental delay: compare milestones, note regression, and refer early for assessment.
Parent-teacher communication improves children's adjustment and learning.
Inclusive education: children with disabilities benefit from adapted materials, ramps, and supportive teaching.
Child nutrition in preschool years: small frequent meals, variety, and limited sugary snacks and drinks.