Mumsnet users share with Little Tikes how they get their child thinking about what they want to be when they grow up

[EllieMumsnet]

This activity is now closed

Some children are adamant they’re going to be a ballet dancer or an astronaut when they grow up, whereas others are more interested in activities such as building and putting things together. This might one day turn into a career like engineering. With more and more emphasis on the importance of STEM education (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) and getting children involved in them at an early age, Little Tikes would love to know how you get your children thinking about what they want to be when they grow up and in particular get them involved in STEM subjects.

Here’s what Little Tikes have to say: “STEM learning from an early age opens children up to a world full of exciting hands-on play. Preschool-age children are perfect for this type of learning. These mini scientists are impossibly curious and love to experiment and discover! Future engineer, mathematician or chemistry teacher… for now, the fun is the learning.”

Perhaps you purchase toys that involve learning from an early age to help stimulate them? Do you have conversations with your DC about the vast array of things they can do when they grow up? When it comes to STEM subjects, do you take them on days out that have an element of STEM education involved? Maybe you encourage them to keep pursuing whatever it is they’ve shown interest in?

However you get your children thinking about what they want to be when they’re older and STEM education, let us know on thread below and you’ll be entered into a prize draw where one MNer will win a £300 voucher of their choice (from a list).

Thanks and good luck
MNHQ

Standard Insight T&Cs Apply

We sometimes discuss ideas and talk about different careers but there is no pressure on what they want to do as my twins are only 9 yrs old. I can see one will be very hands on, he loves baking and being in the kitchen/garden where as my other boy loves nothing more than sitting in front of the computer playing games and coding.

As long as we show them what is out there and. guide them into following their dreams and no pressure is put on them all should hopefully be ok

Always encourage them to try a wide range of activities and then they just might find something that inspires them. It might also give them ideas about a future career.

I never knew what I really wanted to do and I don't think I'd really pressure my children into thinking about it too early. Focusing on things they are good at could lead to carerr choices so that would be an option.

we talk about what they enjoy out of school and subjects in school, then find out what careers include these interests x

When they are little, children are influenced by the toys they play with. Obviously as small children, the likelihood of these ideas becoming reality are very slim.
Don't put pressure on children to come up with a future occupation. There's plenty of time for them to decide and change their minds.
Currently Leo, aged almost 3, is convinced he is going to be a dinosaur when he grows up. Not just any dinosaur though. A red one - obviously!

My son is forever changing his mind about what he wants to do when he grows up! I think it’s important to show an interest in your child’s ambitions, even if they do say they want to be an astronaut!! My son often sees things on TV and decides from there what he wants to be! It used to be a post man after post man pat, now it’s a fireman after fireman Sam! He also has ideas from topics at school, at the moment he is learning about the great fire of London and hence his desire to be a fireman is stronger then ever!

For the little one, it's plenty of role play and getting to learn about as many different occupations as possible.

My boy's career choices change on a daily basis. His top choice at the moment is being a Power Ranger. When we take a train, it's Train Driver. When we visit the zoo, he wants to work there and so on and so on. I have a hunch he will finally decide he will take the job of Spider-Man. I'm not going to steer him in any direction. Things he wants to be right now are pretend and rightly so. He's a kid.

We chat about jobs when the subject comes up and whether they would like to do that type of thing. :)

I dont yet, she is too young. Just encourage interest in everything and I think she will come to a decision when she is no longer 4!

My kids are a little young to be asked just yet but they do tell me they want to be a YouTuber 🙄 that will change when they’re older hopefully

I find it best through playing pretend games about different jobs at this stage. I don't focus on it too much yet.

I don't think you should get them to think about what they want to be as it limits them. Just encourage their interests and see where it takes them. The first thing my daughter wanted to be was an elf so she could help Santa! When she chose her GCSE subjects she wanted to be a chef so chose food technology then half way through the course she changed her mind. But she's always been creative and great with people and she's about to apply for a uni place next year to do teacher training- something she had no interest in growing up at all. My boys love science and maths so we encourage that aspect. Over the years they've talked about engineering, architecture, forensics but the eldest has just started A Levels and has said he is looking at medicine- again something he showed no interest in when he was younger and wanted to be a train driver!

I think it's best not to rule anything out, kids should be kids and not have to think about their future

Talk about what interest them the most, what they find fun, what kind of job roles are available in the things they enjoy.

Usually books or role play costumes bring up questions about careers and what they want to be although at one point he did want to be a dwarf when he grows up!! lol

I don't think it matters till they have to choose subjects at secondary school

My youngest likes to role play and its a good way to explore different jobs but my kids are still young and have plenty of time to decide.

Explain what people do when it crops up e.g. Tv shows

we talk about things in terms of what we like to do and what jobs eg. if H says she likes baking I might say chefs and bakers cook or if she says she wants to be a vet(tanks doc mcstuffins for the cat being terrified of H!!!) theni say its a lot fo hard work and she needs to work hard in school on her numbers and writing etc

My lovely lot change their minds often but what makes me chuckle is my 10 year old really wants to move to America to train dolphins - oh how to be this young again and have these fabulous dreams! I bet she changes her mind when she watches Free Willy!! That's a game changer!!

Expose tham to a wide mix of people. Chat with them about other people's jobs. Encourage their strengths and help them see how their strengths and passions could be used in certain jobs.

We read a lot of books and discuss the characters jobs and roles. My daughters are really enjoying Goodnight stories for Rebel girls at the moment, it offers a lot of opportunities to chat about their aspirations.

This is quite a difficult one really insofar as I think too much pressure is put on children too early on in their lives. From deciding which routes to take at school, which subjects to choose and then at 16 you are supposed to know what you want to do and where you want to be - there are not many people who know what they want to do as an adult let alone a child. However, I do believe strongly in providing as many opportunities and experiences as possible to enable children to make informed choice.

Hands on fun worked well with my girls so adventure days or structured courses and encouraging them to think about when they grow up.
At school they seemed to be encouraged to think outside the box as the jobs they will be doing in the future do not exist now so or conversations encourage imagination and just what they may be doing.