What’s My Job?
Play a game that introduces children to various professions

Introduction
In the Maya & Miguel episode, “Career Day,” each kid in Maya and Miguel’s class gets to spend a whole day with a classmate’s parent or grandparent as a “mentor.” While Miguel lucks into spending the day with an astronaut, Maya ends up with Mort, an insurance salesman who has lost his belief in himself. Maya takes it upon herself to find Mort a new career, but ultimately discovers that what he really needs is simply some help restoring his confidence.

In this activity, your child will practice skills in matching what he/she hears with pictures. Career choices will be explored and talked about, and experienced through role play and literature, using spoken English, Spanish or your own native language.

Materials:

• pictures of “workers” from magazines, books, newspapers, etc.
• glue
• 3x5 index cards
• clothes pins (one for each picture)
• magnetic strips
• career/job description list (below)

Directions: Refrigerator Work Force
Cut out magazine pictures and glue onto one side of each clothespin. Attach a magnetic strip on the back of each clothespin. Write job descriptions on 3x5 index cards. Use the list below to read each job description to your child. Give your child time to think about which worker the description matches. If needed, give clues to help your child make the right choice. The goal of the activity is for your child to match and clip the correct job description with the correct worker. Keep this “work force” handy on the refrigerator to encourage your child to use thinking skills and language in a playful way.

For example: I wear a helmet and work in a “station.” My truck has a long ladder. I rescue people, pets, and save lives. I fight fires. What is my job? (Response: firefighter) Variation: Read the list in Spanish, or your own native language.

Job descriptions:

• Migrant Farmer -- I move from place to place working the land to harvest crops. What’s my job?
• Teacher -- I teach people how to read, write and gain knowledge about many things. What’s my job?
• Doctor -- I treat people when they are ill or hurt. Sometimes I have to operate. What’s my job?
• Bus driver -- I drive a long vehicle with many seats. I might carry students to school or taket people from place to place. What’s my job?
• Waiter -- I’m the person that takes your order and serves your meal. I like it when you leave me a tip. What’s my job?
• Police Officer -- I enforce the law and investigate crimes. I drive a vehicle that has a siren and flashing lights. I wear a uniform and badge. What’s my job?
• Dentist -- You usually only come to see me when you have a toothache or need braces. What’s my job?
• Secretary -- I type, file, answer the phone and keep an office organized. What’s my job?
• Librarian- I am the person that keeps everything organized in the library. I can help you find whatever you are looking for. “Shhh.” Please be quiet while you are in my work place. What’s my job?
• Repairman (repair person) -- I am very good at fixing things that are broken or need repairs. What’s my job?
• Barber or Hair Stylist -- I shave beards, trim fussy nose hairs, cut, color and style hair.
• Postal Worker -- Come rain or shine, you can count on me to deliver the mail. I wear a uniform and work for the post office. What’s my job?

Talk About It: Explain that a mentor is someone who shares knowledge and experience to teach others. Ask your child to identify a “mentor” in his/her own life like a grandparent, teacher or neighbor.

Take It Further: Inspire your child to start a home library with a book about a community worker!

• Preview Chief: The Life of Peter J. Ganci, a New York City Firefighter by Chris Ganci (Ages 4-8). Peter J. Ganci was a real firefighter in New York City on September 11, 2001. This would be a great “starter” book for the biography section of your child’s home library. Read the title and invite your child to make predictions about Peter J. Ganci’s and his career. Call attention to the last name of the main character and author. Ask your child to predict how the main character and author could be related.

With a Group:

• Organize a career day for your group by inviting local professionals, including parents and caregivers, to come and share information about their jobs.
• Provide props (clothing, tools, etc.) for children to explore and role play different career choices.
• Read and discuss this book of collective biographies: Standing Tall: The Stories of Ten Hispanic Americans by Argentina Palacios (Ages 9-12)