I ask most children concrete questions the very first time I meet them.  When I ask, I’m observing the way the child can explain themselves to a person they have just met.  That person would be me!

Initially, I ask about things that I am SURE they know about.  My asking about a parent’s work and hearing the children’s answers precipitates this post.

“What does your (Daddy/Mama) do for work?”

MANY children today have NO IDEA of what their parent does for work!  They SEE us working on computers, like the man in this image,  but they are clueless about what we are doing.  When children see us at the computer, they may even be thinking that we are playing on the computer because children play games on the computer!

Once, I asked a little guy what his dad did for work … and his answer was that dad did crossword puzzles!  I accepted his answer because I’m surrounded by lots of creative people …. but I wondered.  Could this dad DESIGN crossword puzzles?  Could this dad PUBLISH crossword puzzle books?  I made a mental note to ask when I was with the parents!

As it turns out,  when I conferenced with the parents, the mom and dad laughed hysterically when I shared their son’s answer.  Dad was an Attorney!  As part of his morning routine, Dad did a crossword puzzle!  His little son saw Dad doing a crossword puzzle and decided that was Dad’s work!  Or perhaps Dad explained the puzzle as “doing work” because he thought the child could not understand his work!

So….. I encourage you to teach your child what you do for work.  Or, even better, take them to your place of work and show them. You can explain it in simple terms. Children can understand if you use appropriate vocabulary!