On the first Monday of each month, an occupation is highlighted, and a special guest from our community is invited into our classrooms to share with us about their experience in their chosen profession (Mendoza, 2020). Before engaging with the special guest, children are led through an exercise to engage in and share their perspective of the month's profession. A closing discussion allows the children to share about the inspirations gained as well as reflect on their new frame of reference.
"Gender stereotypes are defined by 5 to 7 years of age" (A Class That Turned Around Kids’ Assumptions of Gender Roles!, 2016). Through this opportunity children hear from stay-at-home dads, moms who are pilots, and more! They are presented with the reality that they can do or become anything they want to be. Kristen Jungen's research has shown that "planning for career exploration in the early grades and inviting parent participation are ... ways to strengthen the communication between parents and children" (2008). For us, we also see the importance of incorporating the parents in this event as the guests as much as possible. We want to foster positive conversations and connections with their families for each child and their future aspirations.
2:00 Children are asked to draw/write about the occupation of the month or a cooperative learning activity
2:30 Parent enters to share about the occupation
3:00 Wrap-up, addressing gender roles
August - Educator
September - Stay At Home Dad
October - Energy Engineer
November - Dentist
December - Nurse
January - Dancer
February - Pilot
March - Chef
April - Zoologist
May - Rocket Scientist
References:
A Class That Turned Around Kids’ Assumptions of Gender Roles! (2016). [Video]. Youtube. Retrieved November 30, 2022, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G3Aweo-74kY
Jungen, K. A. (2008). Parental influence and career choice: How parents affect the career aspirations of their children. Retrieved December 3, 2022, from https://minds.wisconsin.edu/bitstream/handle/1793/42711/2008jungenk.pdf?sequence=1
Mendoza, C. (2020, April 19). 7 Great Multicultural Classroom Activities To Involve Parents. ClassTag. https://home.classtag.com/blog/multicultural-classroom-activities/