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

[EllieMumsnet]

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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

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Honesty when they were little by using their imaginations and reading books at one point I think my middle daughter wanted to be a mermaid pirate who went along delivering apples to the community in her submarine. That was absolutely fine with me and I would ask her questions about the colour of her submarine and how would she get the apples through the letter box...

I like to think by never being dismissive and joining in with story I was already telling her that I supported her and that as she grew most things were in reach as she put her mind to it.

I remember my youngest bring home a coaster they'd made for mothers day at school, on it were the words when I grow up I want to be a visitor? Had no idea what he meant but he now aged 16 doing has A levels and still has no idea.

Just ask them now and again if they show an interest in something. My eldest son wanted to be a Bumblebee at 3 ..now he's almost 13 and working towards Police Helicopter flyer. It's good to have goal and visions to work toward , even if you change your mind every few years.

My 5 year old daughter tells me she wants to be a mummy when she grows up. I tell her that's great (and I'm actually really flattered because I must be doing something right). But I'm still working on explaining to her that she can have a career as well. (We'll leave the difficulties of being a mum and having a career at the same time until she's a lot older)!

We often talk about all the different jobs that there are.....from doctors, nurses and vets to caretakers, postmen and bus drivers and everything inbetween. I tell Ronan he can be whatever he choses to be as long as he is aware that some jobs take alot of practice, exams and hard work to get there. Never dull a childs dreams and aspirations.

As a female software engineer, I do encourage my children in problem. solving and it's important for my daughter to know that there are no limits to what she could achieve if she works hard.

Talk about every profession they come across and see.

I don't. Children are way to young to know what they want to be. I just make sure they know as long as they work hard they can be whatever they want to be xx

Let them know there's no pressure! And that nothing is off limits if they work hard

We talk about different jobs that we see in books or when we are out and about, and if he would like to do them. We also do lots of role play and imaginary play.

I try to play games with them about what they like, and try to question what sort of activites they like and trying to stick with the ones they like the most, trying lots of things

I like talking to her in basic terms about what other family members do.
She started off saying she wants to be a lemon (?!), but she has since changed it to a vet.
I am an accountant, so she thinks I count money. She is definitely too young to start learning about journals!

I have always tried to buy toys that have some educational element about them, and we talk to them a lot about things we see and feel and hear when we are out and about. At the moment my eldest son wants to be a builder, middle son wants to be a vet, and youngest wants to be a superhero but they are still young and I'm sure they will change their minds several times yet.

I do think the biggest thing is to make them aware of the sheer range of jobs out there. Just make them aware about many roles beyond the ones they see (like teaching, medicine, vets, police etc - ones like banking, IT, law etc) so that they can think about a wide range.

I let her lead me by play, if she wants to play doctor I'll mention it's something she could do when she's all grown up, but I don't pressure her into making realistic choices...she's 4! As of right now she wants to be a ballerina.

My youngest doesn’t need prompting she tells me regular she wants to be a teacher (was a fire engine when she was very young). My daughter sings a song in the car and tells me straight away she’s going to be a pop star.
My son who’s 15 we just talk in general and I ask him what’s he’s working towards doing after education, he want to work in game animation.

Mine talk quite a lot about their dreams for the future (which is not quite the same as 'what they want to be'). Now two of mine are teenagers the issue of 'what next' becomes more pressing. I try to focus on getting them to think about what sort of activities, rather than subjects - do they like making things, organising things, researching, writing, problem solving, talking to people.... all of these types of skills are used in different types of roles and is an easier way to think about what an enjoyable job might be like.

We often visit the library and they have a wide range of books on different jobs for different age groups. Read along with them and they can get an idea what each job entails.

I focus more on encouraging a wide range of experiences and things she likes to do. She used to love re-enacting her days at school with her being the teacher and replacing herself with a pupil called Lilly. I thought this also helped her digest all the things she’d be taught that day. She then wanted to be Little Mix’s PA and more recently they had a Dragon’s Den style week, where her group came up with an idea for an app which promoted schoolwork with rewards which they forecasted to make a few million after a few years - get it made, I said!

I like to follow interests. My child is really into collecting insects and mushrooms. So I provide days out, books and dvds around these areas.
He also does a science club after school.

We just talk about the jobs people do around us, AND the jobs people do to create or run the things and services we use. When they show particular enthusiasm for doing something, we talk about the jobs that do that thing for a living.

We talk a lot about the skills my kids have and what they are good at. My eldest despite being 8 likes practical hands on things, he is creative and loves to build and design so we have talked with him about utilizing those things into a job.

Congratulations to daniel1996 for winning the £300 voucher