Our Lady of Lourdes kindergartners learn about careers

photo courtesy of OLOL

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SALT LAKE CITY — Kindergartners are inquisitive and curious about the world around them.  Meeting real people who do jobs they may be learning about creates an exciting atmosphere in the classroom. As an extension of the class’ social study unit, Our Lady of Lourdes kindergarten teacher Ms. Mosier holds career days in her class each year.

During career days, students get an up-close view of an array of occupations, especially ones they have never heard of. It can broaden their perspectives beyond classic, familiar jobs such as teacher or firefighter. They also begin to learn what skills and education are required for careers they learn about, and they have the opportunity to ask questions.

Ms. Mosier invites parents to make presentations about their jobs and education.  

“It’s a great way to involve parents in their children’s education,” Mosier said, “and the kids love having their parents in the classroom.”

“I liked my mom coming in; I liked that she wore her scrubs,” said kindergarten student Anna McKillen, whose mother is an anesthesiologist and recently explained her career to the class and gave each of the students a doctor’s mask.

“My mom is going to bring in fun books because she is a social worker,” Nora Rivera explained.  “She is going to talk about feelings.”

Maggie Hanna is excited for her father to present in her class. “He is going to be in his outfit that he wears to work. He is going to bring in pictures to show his training for the army.”

Sometimes the presentations include fun interactive activities that help the students to make a better connection to the career.

Last year, a judge talked about his profession and education, the judicial system and what is a law.  Then he had the students act out a mock trial. The mock trial was such a hit that Ms. Mosier arranged for him to return this year.

In addition to class parents, Ms. Mosier also invites Lourdes alumni, business professionals, tradespersons and community/civic leaders to speak to the class.  

This year a professional harpist shared about her career and education, and demonstrated the similarities and differences between a harp and a piano. The students even got to try playing the harp.

Lourdes alumni and paleontology student Doug Bergquist will be returning again this year to talk with the students about dinosaur bones and becoming a paleontologist.

So, what do these kindergarten students want to be when they grow up?  In the words of Dr. Seuss, “Oh, the places you’ll go!” But until then, Ms. Mosier’s Career Days are a great way to show the students early in their academic careers the purposefulness of their learning – and where it can take them.

Courtesy of Our Lady of Lourdes School