Teaching children

[TxZen]

We had a discussion today about teaching our kiddos at school about different types of jobs and the kids are all so focused on money, with the typical answers for jobs they are interested in- docs, sports, etc. I would like to teach kids about having passion and following their heart and being smart about their money and doing what they love.

I invited a yoga teacher who also is an artist, a writer and a lady I know that owns her own dog grooming business and one police officer.

I find it so sad that kids are SO focused on money. I made up a print out for them that shows them if they save x amount of money a year, just $1500, starting at age 21, how much they can have by the time they turn 50, along with how to live frugal, such as don't live with credit cards, avoid purchases you cannot buy with cash, live smaller, live with less.

I don't know how it's going to be received but I am hoping I make a single kid think outside the box.

[mschrisgo2]

I found that it was very powerful to bring in someone who had changed careers, from high-powered, high-pay, to follow their passion, and let them talk very candidly with the kids about all of it. One year I had a mom who had left a very prestigious position as a research scientist, to stay home with her kids. She talked about how her lifestyle changed, about living in a large metropolitan area in a Nice House on a single income, etc. The kids were blown away, because they all envied this kid and all the things she and her sibs got to do with their mom, and how she was always available for all of them. When she said, "I looked into her eyes when she was 4 minutes old and knew I would not be able to leave her," I almost lost it!

One year my students decided that the first person was an anomaly, that there surely couldn't be others like him. I challenged them to ask their parents if they knew anyone who would come and share their similar experience with us. We found out that several of the parents fit the same profile. It really did open their eyes and cause them to begin to see things differently.

In fact, last year I got a Christmas card from a former student who had just completed his first year as a stay-at-home dad. He wanted to thank me for letting him know that was a choice.

[TxZen]

I found that it was very powerful to bring in someone who had changed careers, from high-powered, high-pay, to follow their passion, and let them talk very candidly with the kids about all of it.

This would be me---corporate to being a teacher.. :)

[Williamsmith]

Does your administration have any restictions or guidelines you must follow? Does every person you bring in have to have a current child abuse background check? Is this a public or private school? Have you had any bad experiences with this?

[TxZen]

They all did a background check. Public school. I have not had any bad experiences and the kids are really engaged. There are some guidelines to what to talk about and keep it simple. They asked for pictures or a PP because kids like visuals. We had the groomer bring pics of the dogs she has groomed and some of her tools.

[Gardenarian]

TxZen,
That sounds like a great idea. It's hard for kids to think realistically about the future, but you can try!

I went to an art program at my dd's high school last night, which included a presentation of 'the best' yearbook pictures. To my dismay, they were all photos of athletics. Not one shot of kids doing an experiment, studying in the library, or even debate team. It was like, this is 1955 and the quarterback is the most important person in school.

I don't know; somehow your project made me think of that. My kid loves life sciences, dance, singing, drawing manga, working with kids, photography, and writing - among other things. She figures she'll end up in some kind of educational field, but when people ask her what she's going to be, she doesn't know how to respond. A coupe of times she's said 'a teacher, maybe?' And people say, 'oh, think big, you can do better than that!'

[TxZen]

TxZen,
That sounds like a great idea. It's hard for kids to think realistically about the future, but you can try!

I went to an art program at my dd's high school last night, which included a presentation of 'the best' yearbook pictures. To my dismay, they were all photos of athletics. Not one shot of kids doing an experiment, studying in the library, or even debate team. It was like, this is 1955 and the quarterback is the most important person in school.

I don't know; somehow your project made me think of that. My kid loves life sciences, dance, singing, drawing manga, working with kids, photography, and writing - among other things. She figures she'll end up in some kind of educational field, but when people ask her what she's going to be, she doesn't know how to respond. A coupe of times she's said 'a teacher, maybe?' And people say, 'oh, think big, you can do better than that!'

100% agree with you!!! I am trying to turn that tide... :)