Take Our Kids to Work Day: A Very Montessori Experience for Students

Parents in all types of occupations took their children to work on November 7

On November 7, you may have noticed some new and curious young faces around your workplace; you may even have brought a few observers of your own to experience what it is like at your job! For Canadians, the first Wednesday of each November is Take Our Kids to Work Day, and it is an exciting experience for grade 9 students right across the country. For US residents, Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day falls on the last Thursday of every April. Both programs provide students with the chance to gain inspiration and skills that will carry them through their educational decisions and vocational callings, into their careers and beyond into adulthood.

As Montessorians, it is easy to recognize the benefits of these days, as the goals of these days are rooted in very Montessori values. By giving students the chance to spend a day with you in your workplace, you are providing them with a real experience of what your job is like. They have the opportunity to understand your work in a hands-on, concrete manner — giving them inspiration and knowledge to help them form their own career goals.

Take Our Kids to Work Day: A Very Montessori Experience for Students

Take Our Kids to Work Day can also provide a wonderful opportunity for students to plan a Going Out activity. Students can participate in the planning, preparation, and requirements necessary for going to work: How will the students get to and from the work place? What clothing will be appropriate for the work place they are visiting? Will they need to prepare a lunch ahead of time? Or have money with them?

After they participate in the day, encourage the students to practice their skills in Grace and Courtesy and their penmanship by writing a letter of thanks to the parent/adult that took them to work. Here are some helpful links to Foundation websites that have resources like Consent Forms and Absence Letters that your child can research and help complete in preparation for the big day!

•  For Canadians: Take Our Kids To Work Day - Resources
• For USA: Take Our Daughters and Sons To Work Day - Resources

NAMC thanks two grade 9 students for sharing their experiences of Take Our Kids to Work Day:


Evann and her dad on Take Our Kids to Work Day

Evann:

On November 7, I went to work with my dad for Take Our Kids to Work Day. My dad is an upper elementary teacher in a grade 6/7 class. Getting to watch him work (and help out a bit) was really interesting. I watched him teach his students a variety of subjects, but it was especially interesting to see him help students individually. When you are a student, all you ever see your teachers do is teach the class. What you don’t see, is all the things they do in addition to that. I got to observe my dad preparing for classes, supervising at lunch and recess, and individually help each student in his class. When we arrived at the school (around 8:00 am,) we immediately set to preparing for the day’s class. My dad was photo copying papers for science and I was making up some bingo sheets.

After that I watched my dad teach the students and help them individually with their work. He was very understanding and patient towards his students, and I think that he helped them a lot. I also walked around with him at recess while he supervised the kids. I thought that was really fun. All the kids flocked toward him and wanted to walk with us. My favorite part of the day was leading the kids in a game of French bingo. Overall, I thought that the day was a wonderful learning and bonding experience. I now have a new found understanding and appreciation for teachers. It was a great day!

Kristen was on top of the world on Take Our Kids to Work Day

Kristen:

I went with my dad who works in the Human Resources Department of a road and bridge maintenance company in the Lower Mainland of British Columbia. I started my day early, meeting people in the different departments at the head office. Everyone was very friendly and provided lots of information. I attended an important safety orientation meeting hosted by Steve, who would be our guide for the day. Next came the fun stuff. We headed off to one of the newer bridges towering across the Fraser River. We went on a traveller underneath the bridge which was very cool. After that, we climbed up what seems like 1,000 steps to get to the middle part of the bridge. Wearing our hard hats and safely clipped onto the wires, we walked across the middle span of the bridge. It was a beautiful day and we could see far off in the distance. There were many more stairs as we climbed to the very top. It was well worth the sore muscles, and thankfully I am not afraid of heights. I took lots of great photos. After our descent, we drove to investigate the operation of a counter-flow tunnel. It was really neat to learn about the different types of jobs that are available.

I learned so many interesting things. If given a choice today, I would prefer to work in the office, especially since the crew maintaining the roads and bridges are called out at all times for emergencies and repairs. However, it would be so tempting to work out in the field, particularly on sunny days.

If your workplace is suitable, consider participating in Take Our Kids to Work Day; Montessori values and experiences are a way of life, and there is no better way than to share them as a family.

As much as possible, NAMC’s web blog reflects the Montessori curriculum as provided in its teacher training programs. We realize and respect that Montessori schools are unique and may vary their schedules and offerings in accordance with the needs of their individual communities. We hope that our readers will find our articles useful and inspiring as a contribution to the global Montessori community.
© North American Montessori Center - originally posted in its entirety at Montessori Teacher Training on Monday, December 3, 2012.