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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Role play and books ! And getting them to visit the actual place after that
My son is two and he plays being a doctor all the time. So when we took him to the actual doctor he was very curious and cooperative.
A bit too early for him to say he wants to be doctor but must say he is very interested in knowing what a doctor does.

Truthfully, I don't. I think the continued emphasis on a successful career-life is skewed and not necessarily conducive with personal happiness. I just frequently engage them in conversation about their passions and interests as they develop, so that they're encouraged to pursue what makes them happy.

Let them explore lots of areas and see what they enjoy the most.

Feel a bit depressed that a toy might be purchased to influence a child's career choice!

I think helping kids come to their career choice, usually happens a long time after toys are being purchased! Mine started to seriously consider this as they chose their GCSEs. This was reviewed on the basis of GCSE results and honed down a bit further at A levels and then degree applications. Even then it could all still change!

I'm still hoping someone will help me!

I encourage lots of reading and role play to stimulate their little minds, my lo's are too young at the moment to even know what a career is. However when they are old enough I will get them out and about to discover things like STEM and encourage them to pursue whatever they enjoy.

I don't get my kids thinking about what they want to be when they are older. I let them enjoy childhood and support them with their career ideas once they reach school leaving age.

Normally, when we are watching a movie together and the character's profession is apparent, I will talk to my 2 boys about what they would like to do when they grow up. I remember the first time I asked me son who was 3 at the time what he wanted to be when he grew up, he answered I want to be a fire engine. I explained that he meant fireman, it was still cute though.

I'm always asking my daughter if she has seen anything in the real world or on T.V. that she would like to do that would be fun and rewarding.

It saddens me to think that young children need to be focused on this.

But having a direction, or an idea, is important when you are choosing GCSE options.

We actually talk about it loads at home. Of course things change but I would love for them to get an idea of what they would like to do and hopefully that will inspire them to do well in school.

I let their imagination run wild

It's important for them to have some aim in life and it's important that it should change many times as they grow up. Support all their dreams, eventually one will stick

Incorporate the conversation into everyday life. When you're on a bus, talk about how the bus driver helps lots of people get to where they need to be every day. When swimming, explain what the lifeguard does and why it's so important. Talk about teachers and how much they impart their knowledge to children. However, don't try and steer them towards what YOU want.

I try not to badger my son, but if he mentions what the future holds and what he wants to be, we talk about it and why he has.made the choice he has, as well as how he might go about becoming that (eg: wow! That means lots of studying and university) I certainly don't pressure him or tell him what I think he should be!

Simply ask them the question, show them multiple different occupations.

They change their minds! My eldest is 18 and always wanted a job with computers and live near mummy! He is now working abroad in customer service! He was not especially social so was a surprise! My second wanted to be a footballer, a spy or an ice cream man! Keeping it real

I don't think this is even something to think about. They will change their mins lots of times before they grow up anyway.

DD has had life planned our since she was 10.

We talk about our jobs and friends' jobs, so it's a standard expectation that work is what you do and is an interesting and rewarding activity, but also try not to pile any pressure on - they are too young to need to worry about it.

My Daughter wants to be a nurse.

I collapsed on the bathroom floor, it had been a long day at work and I had stupidly not checked the ingredients on my food.

I ended up suffering anaphylaxis, my throat was closing up and my amazing Daughter brought me my phone and managed to speak to my Dad who called 999.

My Dad arrived and unlocked the door (if she hadn't spoke to him the paramedics wouldn't have been able to get in - and I doubt I would be here typing this...)

The first paramedic arrived I had lost consciousness by this time, and I came round with tubes coming out of me and a mask on. She must have been terrified .

The ambulance arrived with two more paramedics one helped the first, and the other took my Daughter who was in tears out to the ambulance to have a look to distract her.

Ever since, she has wanted to be a nurse and help 'poorly people get better'. We go through plasters at quite a rate when we're playing Doctors and Nurses (I'm always finding them on her stuffed toys!) she wanted the nurse outfit and doctors kit for her Birthday.

She'll most likely change her mind several times when she grows up though... But I'll always support her whatever career she may choose.

We respond to any comments DD makes about her future.
She wanted to run an ice cream shop. So we made her one out of a cardboard box. Invited friends and they ran a shop for a day.
She wanted to be a spy, so we got her spy stuff for Christmas. (This has been the no1 winner)
She wanted to be a fashion designer so we made sure she had pencils and paper. Gave her freedom to dress as she pleased (that took quite a bit of restraint on my part!)
She showed a talent for programming so her GF got her a raspberry pi.
She now loves photography so we take her on various walks/talks that our local park rangers organise.

It's not all about buying stuff, we take her places, borrow books, make up games.

We're not pushing her to decide on a career. Just encouraging any and all interests she shows.

I think once they are a little older they will understand things from the tv programmes and from school

I don't have a direct discussion as to what my DD wants to do when she is grown up as I think it is too early to get too caught up in making that decision and too much pressure. I do remind her often where her skills lie, what she is good at, and try to encourage her to try new things, to develop or find new skills. I remind her that being kind is important also.

talk to them and let then make their own choices

Well he's only 3 but we try and encourage him to develop different skills and regularly talk to him about the idea of working when you grow up. I try to avoid suggesting that certain jobs are better than others as in an ideal world I'd like him to do something that he enjoys, not something that is seen as aspirational.
Really though, while I think it's important that kids grow up understanding the idea of working, I think encouraging an ambition in any set career is pointless, and potentially damaging if it leads to them pursuing skills and qualifications they don't really want or need. I don't think I know anyone who's doing what they wanted to as a child, or even anything close.

As he gets older I'll aim to help him develop the areas that he shows skill or interest in and encourage him to keep trying new things. If he starts talking regularly about a certain career when he's older then I'll try and get him information on what the job involves on a day to day basis. The job I am in is very different in reality to how most people (including myself at one point) imagine it and I wouldn't have chosen it if I'd understood it better beforehand.