Skip to main content

Helping your child explore careers: upper primary school

a young girl sitting at the kitchen bench with her father looking at each other while reading
If your child is in upper primary school, now is a great time to talk about careers. You play an important role in helping them imagine their future and discover what they enjoy. 

You might be surprised to learn that career thinking starts much earlier than high school.  

From a young age, children are shaped by the people and experiences around them. What they see and hear helps them understand the world and what kinds of jobs they might want to do. 

This is where you can make a big difference at home.

Why talk about careers?

Exploring careers in primary school helps children:
  • Learn about different jobs
  • Discover their interests and talents
  • Build confidence in their abilities

As they grow, these early experiences will help them make good choices about school and work.

Easy ways to support career learning 

Talk about jobs at home 
  • Make job talk part of everyday conversations
  • Share your own work stories—both the good and the challenging
  • Try using the Little Ripples Conversation Cards to spark ideas

Let them explore activities

  • Support clubs, sports, and hobbies
  • These build teamwork, creativity, and problem-solving skills
  • Explore the Little Ripples Job Factsheets together

Teach flexibility

  • Jobs are changing all the time
  • Help your child stay open to new ideas and learning

Build digital skills

  • Encourage using technology like coding, apps, and software
  • These skills are useful in many future jobs
  • Explore Creating online in the Digital skills hub

Grow leadership skills

  • Support chances to lead at school or in the community
  • Leadership builds confidence and practical skills

Try hands-on experiences

  • Look for local opportunities to explore different jobs
  • Job shadowing or short work experiences can be helpful
  • Seeing real jobs helps kids learn what they enjoy

Work with the school

  • Talk to teachers and school counsellors
  • They can help your child explore career options and build skills

By encouraging curiosity and supporting your child’s interests, you’re helping them build a strong foundation for their future.

We are here for you!

young woman tutoring two young children

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.

Visit My Smith Family

End of article

Was this article helpful?