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:
What You Need:
- Medium pad of drawing paper
- Markers or crayons
- Hole punch
- Yarn or string
What You Do:
- Have your child brainstorm a list of jobs and careers that he knows about. Examples might include: doctor, firefighter, actor, veterinarian, chef, artist, construction worker, and pilot.
- How many jobs made your child's list? Have him rip out a corresponding number of pieces of paper from the drawing pad.
- Fold the piece of paper in half to make a crease in the middle. Make sure that the dimensions of the paper are such that each side of the crease is big enough to make a page.
- Now it's time to draw! You child should draw a picture of the job on one side of the paper, and write out the name of the job on the opposing side. For instance, he might draw a woman in a lab coat with a dog or cat, then write “Veterinarian” on the opposing side. (You may want to assist with spelling questions).
- Once your child has finished illustrating all the careers on his list (this may be an ongoing project for a few days), place the pages one inside the other to create a book. On the “spine” of the book, punch a semicircular hole 1/3 of the way from the bottom of the book, and another 1/3 of the way from the top. String a piece of yarn or twine through one hole and back through the other. Tie the ends of the string together. Voila! Your child has built a portfolio of the many jobs that exist in the world, and practice some art and writing skills, too!