Helping your child explore careers: early primary school
Key takeaways
- Explain careers simply as jobs grown-ups do to earn money and help others.
- Engage children in play and projects that reflect real-world jobs to spark interest.
- Books and educational videos make learning about careers fun and relatable.
- Career education at this age is about broadening horizons—not choosing a job yet.
What is a career?
“A career is something grown-ups do to earn money and help others. It’s a job they do every day—like:
- Doctors who help people feel better
- Teachers who help kids learn
- Artists who create beautiful things”
Fun ways to explore careers
- Building and engineering: Use LEGO or simple science experiments to explore design and problem-solving.
- Art and design: Drawing, painting, and crafting can lead to careers like artist, designer, or architect.
- Pretend play: Set up play areas like a mini doctor’s office, bakery, or classroom so they can act out different jobs.
Your involvement matters! When you show interest and encouragement, your child begins to see their own potential.
Books to read together
- Someone Builds the Dream by Lisa Wheeler and Loren Long
- What Shoes Will You Wear? by Julia Cook
- What Do You Do with an Idea? by Kobi Yamada
You can also read the Little Ripples eBooks online.
Stories help kids imagine themselves in different roles and spark great conversations.
A gentle reminder
- Seeing more than what’s around them
- Being curious about different jobs
- Feeling confident in their interests and talents
By introducing careers early, you’re helping your child dream big and explore what’s possible. It’s all part of preparing them for a bright future!
We are here for you!
Your Family Partnership Coordinator is here to support you through each stage of your child's educational journey.
They can support you to problem-solve any challenges that may come up that affect your child's education.
They can also connect you to educational support programs or services in the community if you decide that's what you need.
You can find your Family Partnership Coordinator's contact details in My Smith Family.
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