When I Grow Up…

While observing our children’s play, we noticed them playing all different kinds of roles and people, more so than playing with anything else. They loved to act, and we saw that they loved roleplaying different careers like police, firefighters or teachers. Initially, we asked them the question, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” to which we got a wide range of answers like “a policeman”, “a teacher” or “a banker”. We continued this inquiry-based investigation by asking more questions and observing, and we noticed that it was more than just careers they were interested in – it was the whole notion of acting like a grown-up.

The children took inspiration from their families and communities, and every day they chose to play as something or someone different. They loved being able to use tools and props to help with their scenarios and roles. The investigation flourished and transitioned to a deeper level, in which the children explored the topic of ‘growing up’. They learned the differences in a person’s life when they are at different ages, and we began asking more specific questions like, “If you were really old, what would you do?”, “What is the difference between a child and an adult?” or “What are some things that grown-ups do, that children can’t do?” The children were amazing at thinking outside the box, using their imaginations to answer these questions as they practised their learning through their play.

Our class got to know each other so well in terms of everyone’s interests, dreams and personalities. Everyone learned what everyone wanted to be, and shared and took turns playing the different roles that the children suggested. The children not only learned more about the topic of growing up, but perhaps learned about themselves and what kind of person they want to be.