Big Questions About The World Of Work

When we’re little, we spend a lot of time imitating the big people around us. There are toys and games and songs all about what it’ll be like when we grow up. We pretend to be busy doing this or that very important job. At school, the question “What do your parents do?” is a show-and-tell staple. We dress up for Halloween in costumes reflecting what we might like to do. Later on, there’s “Bring Your Kid to Work Day” and then career fairs.

From a very early age, kids are curious about what it means to work. It seems to be part of what makes us human, and what gives us value and validation in our communities. As we’ve seen over the past few years, the definition of and attitude toward work have changed a great deal. Chances are, a lot of our kids will make their living in careers that don’t yet exist.

So, why not make work a topic of conversation with your kiddo? Here are some fantastic big questions that they’re likely to find thought-provoking:

·      Is work about making things or doing things? Could it be both?

·      What’s the difference between work and play? Can you do both at the same time?

·      What’s the difference between having a job and just working?

·      Does everyone have to love their job in order to do it (and do it well)?

·      Can work be fun too? If you’re having fun, can you still be doing work?

·      Can you have a company with no boss? How would you make decisions?

·      How do you know if someone is good at their work?

·      Do we ever stop working, even when we’re home?

·      What’s too old and too young to work?

·      When we talk about who we are and what we’re like, should our work be a big part of that?

·      How do we tell people that their work is valuable, and that we appreciate it?

·      Who decides who should do which job? Are there ways to make work fair and equal?

·      Does all work have to be paid? Are we still working when we volunteer to do something?

·      Is going to school a kind of work? Can learning be work too?

Hands up if you’ve asked yourself these questions about work. Yeah, we thought so.

These questions are likely to resonate with the adults in your gang as well as the kids, and that’s a beautiful thing. You and your little thinker are likely to come up with more questions of your own, and they’ll be excited and curious about your experiences with work, past and present. As is the case with all big questions, they can and should be explored through play, so don’t be afraid to make believe, read books, sing songs, and create art about work. Share stories about work around the world, family businesses, and your own aspirations. There are so many opportunities to bond over discussions this universally relevant subject.

Happy thinking!