Primary School Student Activities

You can encourage young people to think about different occupations and how they impact upon people’s lifestyles as you undertake everyday household activities together. When a natural opportunity occurs, talk about the different roles that you or others are involved in at home, at work and in the community.

Activity 1: Awareness of Occupation

You could build a Lego neighbourhood or a town with houses, shops, garages and recreational spaces. In the process, talk about the different roles that people perform in an office tower, a house, a shop, a movie theatre, a university, a school, a train station, an airport or a childcare centre.

Or you could explore the many occupations involved in building a city/town/suburb or a road. Ask your child to choose one of those roles that appeals to them to try out when they are older. Remember to allow your child to dream.

Activity 2: Occupations Out and About

Next time you visit a sporting centre, a museum, art gallery, science centre, environmental centre, or the local park, talk about the work that people do there. You could discuss the knowledge and skills that people might use in making a piece of art, growing a garden or building a playground.

Activity 3: Decision Making

Decision-making is a critical part of career planning. Just like any other skill, decision-making needs time and practice to master. It’s important that your children are given every opportunity to practice and to understand the flow-on effects that arise from each of their decisions.

Make every effort to involve your children in planning and making decisions about large family events, such as a family holiday or family gathering. Offer them genuine choices and make sure that their views are fully considered. Not only will they be learning the important career management skill of decision-making, their confidence will grow as you allow them to participate in important family decisions.