If I were to use the
word career path with my daughter when she was age 5, she would have
ignored me and asked to watch Barney. I can't imagine a child who is
5 and trying to learn what is being taught to them at preschool or
kindergarten considering their life's work. It would be difficult to
explain to them how coloring and juice boxes aren't involved in
choosing a career. At this age, they believe being a superhero or
princess is a good career option.
There was a recent
survey of parents that showed many of them believe this is the time
in their child's life when career decisions should be made. This
just lets me know that there are many parents who don't seem to grasp
how there comes a time when a kid needs to be permitted to be a kid.
Playing dress-up, coloring, exploring the world is a good thing.
Trying to guide them on a career path at this age is a dumb thing.
Makes me wonder if these parents regret their own career choices.
Below are excerpts from
the story with my valuable insights in italics.
Perhaps not surprisingly,
more than half (56%) of the 2,000 parents surveyed already have their
own ideas for what their kids will be when they grow up. Three in
four participants hope their children gravitate towards STEAM
(science, technology, engineering, arts, mathematics) professions,
with engineer, doctor, and web developer/programmer leading the way
for the jobs they predict them landing.
So, these are parents
who don't value people who fix their cars, build their homes, repair
their plumbing and so many other things associated with a career in
the trade professions. Our society could not function without people
in the trade professions. I notice these surveyed parents also
didn't want to have children who were entrepreneurs. I'm sure many
of these parents are employed by someone who took on the challenges
of starting and running a business.
“Why don't you finish
your degree in Sexuality Studies?”
“I like working with
tools. I fixed your car and dishwasher.”
“How are you ever
going to succeed in the world?”
“I make more money
than my siblings who have college degrees and I'm not drowning with
student debt.”
“This is not what we
agreed to when you were five-years-old.”
“Sorry.”
President of Marketing
Communications at The Toy Association, in a statement. “As
parents visit the toy aisle, they should first look for items that
truly allow children to explore an area of science, technology,
engineering or math and allow the children to use their imaginations.
Most importantly, the toy must be fun for children to play with and
captivate their interest. Learning through play should always be a
fun experience!”
Maybe toys associated
with working in the fast food industry could be for those who plan to
have an art history degree. There could be a taxi cab driving toy
for those who plan to get a degree in Canadian studies. Toys letting
children play as if they are working in retail for those who get a
degree in puppetry.
“You are playing with
stuffed animals. Why aren't you using the toy calculator I gave you
so you can begin working toward your degree in engineering?”
“I want some
cookies.”
“Do you realize your
entire adult life could be impacted if you don't start working toward
your engineering career.”
“I want to be
Superman.”
“No, you want to be
an engineer.”
“I want to be fly and
have x-ray vision.”
“You can't do it. I
know you're five-years-old, but it's time you begin to take life
seriously.”
“Can I go outside and
dig in the dirt?”
“At last you seem to
be taking your future career as an engineer serious.”
“No, I want to find
bugs and scare my sister with them.”
“Oh.”
But digital media is
keeping kids from playing with these toys, parents say. Half
feel competition with screens is the biggest challenge in
the house when it comes to getting the kids to use their skill-honing
toys and games.
(Sarcasm Alert)
Someone needs to tell
these parents how to be parents. I think it is the parent who can
limit their child's screen time and redirect them toward playing with
toys. If you want your five-year-old child to begin working on their
career as a future scientist, you need to bump up your game.
“I want to play video
games.”
“Hey, you have been
in this world for five years. You have successfully unlocked the
mysteries of bathroom usage and know how to button your shirt, most
times. It is time you start being serious about your science
career.”
“Can I go play
T-ball?”
“I'm sorry, but its
time you walk away from the video games and playing baseball. You
need to see the benefits of pursuing a career in science.”
“Grandpa said
scientists make a lot of money but baseball players can make millions
of dollars every year for playing a game.”
“You know, you're
right, forget this science stuff, you need to learn how to throw a
great curveball.”
“What is a
curveball?”
“Get your baseball
glove, we're going to the little league field. You'll learn about
that and begin to pursue your career as a highly paid baseball
player. It's never too early to begin training for a future as a
professional athlete.”
“Okay.”
Below is a link to the
story.
https://www.studyfinds.org/survey-children-start-thinking-about-career-age-five/
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