Make a Career Book!

Ahh, Labor Day. A day dedicated to the American worker, as well as a last hurrah to the joys of summer. The kids will soon be heading back to school, but while you’re relaxing, why not slip a little learning in over the holiday weekend with this fun activity?

Children will learn about work, jobs and neighborhoods in first grade social studies. Labor Day is an excellent time to talk to your child about jobs and work – right in your own neighborhood. You can give your child a jump start on the school year by taking a walk through your neighborhood and talking about the different jobs that people do, then showing him how to make his very own “career book.”

First, explain the meaning of Labor Day to your child. Then take a walk or drive through your neighborhood and point out different businesses you see. Ask your child questions about the kind of business, what kind of work they do there, and what kind of equipment or tools the emplyees use to do their job. Tell your child about your job and the jobs of people in your family – you are a part of the neighborhood too! Explain to your child how different businesses provide services or products to people in your community, state, country or even the whole world! Tell him that there is some company or business that makes everything he has--clothes, crayons, stickers, toys, bookbags, etc.

When you get home from your walk, help your child make a “career book” depicting the different jobs he observed on his walk, and the ones that he might want to do some day: