Clifford the Big Red Dog
by: Tamara Johns, WHYY Children's Service Intern
"When I grow up I want to be a postman, or a doctor, no, no, a lawyer!" Kids always talk about what they want to be when they grow up, based on the jobs they are exposed to. Let your kids dream big, and try to expose them to as many different occupations as you can. Just as in Birdwell Island on the show Clifford the Big Red Dog, people in our city and community all have unique jobs they do everyday. Everyone has a job to do, no matter how big or small it is. Kids already have important jobs at home and at school, but it is never too early for them to start exploring careers around them that they may be interested in. Thursday April 23, 2009 is National Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day, so use this opportunity to share your job with your kids, and to explain its role in the community.
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Clifford the Big Red Dog
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On Thursday April 23, 2009, National Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day, take a child to work with you, even if it is only for a little while. Not only can you show them what goes on during the work day, but you can show them the many career possibilities they have and how education will help them get there.
We always ask kids what they want to be when they grow up. Help kids explore different career opportunities that are around your community by visiting local business and offices to tour or speak with people there about what their duties are and the roles they play in the community.
Volunteering is a great way to explore different career paths and get hands on experience. Visit www.volunteermatch.org to find volunteer opportunities in your neighborhood.
If bringing your daughter or son to work will not be possible bring the experience of your job to them. Host or participate in a career day. Use this chance to not only talk about your job, but also create activities for students to do so that they can get a feel for what some of your duties are.
Visit www.daughtersandsonstowork.org to learn more about the day and for more ideas and activities.
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Take Your Daughter to Work Day
(Ages 8-13)
by Marie Prato
It is Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day and a third grader named Ashley is embarrassed that she can’t go to work with her mother because she is a stay at home mom. Ashley will soon find out that that her mom still has a very important job even though she is a stay at home mom. (Only available electronically on Kindle)
Daddy Goes to Work
(Ages 3-6)
by Jabari Asim and Aaron Boyd
Follow the main character, a young girl, on her journey to work with her father as she helps him throughout the day.
Jobs Around My Neighborhood / Oficios en mi vecindario
(Ages 3-7)
by Gladys Rosa-Mendoza
Help children learn about the different jobs they may see around their neighborhood. The books shows and describes various and useful careers in your neighborhood.
What Color Is Your Parachute for Teens: Discovering Yourself, Defining Your Future
(Ages 15-21)
by Richard Nelson Bolles, Carol Christen, and Jean M. Blomquist
This book is a focused guide to helping young people choose a career. It helps them to identify what they like to do, and their skills and goals in order to find their dream job.
Tyler & His Solve-a-Matic Machine
(Ages 9-12)
by Jennifer Bouani and Jennifer Shelley
A great introduction to entrepreneurship for kids, to get them in the spirit of creativity and ingenuity for discovering career options.
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