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Learning about occupations is very important because regardless of age or level, students will use these terms in everyday life. Occupations are often what allow us to go further in life, so it is a great topic to address with the students as they continue to improve their English.
A child can gain certain knowledge about professions and their characteristics through joint activities with an adult. We want to share with you some practical ideas that helped the Rainbow Fish class children learn these terms and use them well.
When the children are between the ages of three and four, we can only start to establish concepts about specific forms of occupation as well as the most basic labour operations. The children at this age will need the vocabulary to have conversations and be able to express their interest.
First, we taught our class students the names of various common occupations. We based on community helpers (firefighter, police officer, doctor, etc.). We began with large pictures clearly labeled with the name of the occupation. Every day we reviewed, making sure the class was picking up on correct pronunciation.
After our class students had a good handle on the basic occupations that we had covered, we wanted them to be able to describe what it is that the job entails. In other words, we wanted to teach them the items that pair with each occupation. To do this, we reviewed the jobs we had just covered and played a game where the children were choosing the different items that connected to the particular occupation and telling the class how they can be used.
The next idea we wanted to teach our class was where these people work. To do this, we used large pictures of the typical settings of each job. We taught the names of the settings, for example, using a picture of a classroom for a teacher or a picture of a hospital for a doctor. To introduce the concept, the children showed the workers (we used toys) in their correct settings. When holding up a new worker, we would ask, “Where does a doctor work?” The student who puts the worker in the right setting should respond, “In a hospital.”
Children love role-playing games because it allows them to pretend to be anyone, including doctors, drivers, chefs, hairdressers, and other occupations. In the role play the child can play the central part and do things, imagining, that he is a grown-up.
In our class we taught about the appropriate professional attributes and made sure that the children were familiar with them. In the process of such games, the teachers told the children what qualities and skills their hero should have.
Bringing the children to visit the workplace and letting them use the tools is the best way to teach them about a particular occupation. The chance for KG1 to see the fire station was a terrific one.
Children were allowed to try on the firefighters’ protective gear since they were so fascinated watching them put it on. The firefighters showed the children around the fire station so they could see and learn about the equipment, tools, and other things that were in use. It was so good for them to have a chance to see that this is not someone to be scared of in case they are ever in a situation where they need to be rescued.
Expressing the learning concepts and ideas through imaginative art is the best method for helping young children learn a theme. Pre-schoolers love to be creative and express themselves through art. It’s a great way for them to learn about their world and explore their feelings. Art activities for pre-schoolers provide an important foundation for creativity and cognitive development.
The Rainbow Fish class did some fun art projects focus on their favourite occupations. The children performed a craft project based on this trip after visiting the fire station, and the children created “The policemen” art by completing the other half of the picture that was given to them.
The Rainbow Fish class children learnt about school community workers, so we arranged to take our class on a tour of the school campus to help them understand how each person contributes to making the school community happy and safe.
Furthermore, we taught our students some fantastic nursery rhymes with actions, including some of the most well-known, traditional rhymes as well as more modern music. We read many stories about various professions and engaged in a few games that were linked to the subject.
Even at pre-school age children begin to dream, to get acquainted with the real outside world, and gradually form ideas that will be part of their personality. It is very important at this moment to give them basic knowledge about occupations in an engaging and simple manner.
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