Inspiring our kids to think about school and career plans #EveryChildAnRESP
I remember being in the hospital the day after my daughter was born. The woman in the hospital bed next to me leaned over and asked me if I decided where to start my baby’s RESP (that’s what she did for a living). I looked at her blankly and told her that the thought had not even crossed my mind. Fast forward a decade later and the thought of my children’s RESP’s is front row center in my mind. I’m thankful for services like SmartSAVER’s How to Start Page and the Canada Learning Bond.
Here in Quebec, high school starts as of grade seven. I started looking at high schools for my daughter as of last year and this year she’ll be sending off her application. Both my parents pursued post secondary education, my father and brother went on to pursue their Masters and PhD’s. Pursuing higher education was always a given for my siblings and I growing up. I do the best I can to a love of learning in my own kids and speak to them about different career options. I tell them that they have unique skill sets and that while they could be anything their heart desires, there may be certain careers that might come easier to them based on those skill sets.
My daughter is incredibly artistic, loves to read and is very creative in general. We love to make jewelry, paint, make custom card creations for any holiday (she even likes to add her own barcode at the back!) and mostly anything creative. My son on the other hand loves Math. He is always asking us number questions, trying to solve riddles or solve his older sister’s Math questions. It’s so important to be our children’s biggest cheerleader in life. I’m thankful to have learnt that from my own mom.
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DISCLOSURE: While this post is sponsored on behalf of SmartSAVER, as always, all opinions are 100% my own.
We talk about and model good choices in both education and career plans.
I don’t really do anything special… I try to make sure they like school and want to learn. Wanting to learn is the key to success!
I inspire them to think about school or career plans by telling them some celebrities’ stories.
We talk often about different career paths and the education required for each one and how their schooling now will effect what they can do in the future.
I’ve taught my kids to pursue their passions. I’m also teaching them that stuff they don’t like (such as math) is also important even if it doesn’t seem it applies to their choice of a career path.
We often talk about career options and what type of school they we need to do that job.
We let him know that there are many choices available and to do something they really enjoy .
teach them to dream
I ask my kids what their interests are and what they would like to be. I ask them how they think that they can achieve this goal.
I like to talk about what they love to do, and see what kind of careers are available
I introduce them to different events in our community.
I like to bring up the topic and see what they have to say for themselves, then I introduce some ideas that they could consider.
I take them to events in the area and I get my kids to read as much as possible.
I think it is important for kids to try their best at everything, even the subjects that are not favourites. Not a fovourite today could easily become a favourite tomorrow!
We often talk about what the kids want to do when they grow up and then show them how their schooling today relates to that future career!
My daughters use their imaginations by dressing up on what they want to be and I encourage them to try new things.
We encourage our grandkids to pursue their dreams, they are still very young but we hope to show them that anything is possible if they work hard enough!
The kids and I are always having chats about their goals and what it is they need to accomplish or what changes they need to make them happen, We remind them all the time that we are their biggest cheerleaders 🙂
I try to expose them to the different profession that they interact with the cashier in the store, the doctor, the reception in the dentist’s office and etc. and explain how they got the training or education to get their job.
we often chat about career choices and tell them they can have many choices with a good education.
I inspire them by observing their interests. and showing them future careers they’ll love by pretend play.
I inspire them by telling them to follow their dreams. I encourage them in their interests and encourage them to always be open to try new things.
We’re always talking to our kids about their interests and what they might need to do to achieve them. We’re open to trying things out as a family and/or registering them in activities that interest them.
Besos, Sarah
Journeys of The Zoo
I think that we can inspire our kids to be what ever that want by allowing them to experience different things. For example camping, field trips to Science Centres. Get them activity in sports and let them decide what they like or don’t like. We always tell our kids not to do something because it is money – do something you think that you will enjoy and try it out – sign up for co-op’s do volunteer hours to learn about their interests!
I tell my granddaughters they can be whatever they want to be with hard work.
My oldest just start school last month. I encourage her by starting her young, hiring on private at home ABA therapy so she can be successful in her future education and help teach her when she is at home
I inspire my kids by getting family and friends to talk about their professions.
I inspire them by encouraging reading of all types of books and let them know anything is possible.
Since I work in Dentistry I have lots of opportunities to chatt up my children and teeen patients/c.ietnts discussimg their thoughts and future ambitions.
My children and I are always talking about different careers and what they would like to do in the future. I always always make sure they know they can do and be whatever they want to and to always follow their dreams
I always ask them “is that something you’d like to be when you grow up?” and I’ll give them a brief job description, and encourage them.
I can inspire young kids to think about school or career by encouraging them to research careers they may be interested in. This can start at a young age by reading age appropriate story books.
I inspire them to think about school or career plans by telling them some of my personal growth stories
I asked them what their interest are and what they like doing. Also what kind of career there are available and the education required.
show them cool experiments to get them really interested in science
I tell them about my journey to be a scientist.
Talk to them and find out what they would like to do, and give encouragement!!
letting them explore their options, let them follow their dreams
I talk to them about the choices that are out there for them.
I inspire my kid by talking to her and telling her my experiences and my parents ‘experiences.
We made sure to find a female engineer when we were doing our house renovation – easiest way to spark ideas is by example!
We read. I find that promotes imagination and motivation.
I encourage my daughter to pursue what inspires her!
Encourage them to pursue their dreams
I introduce them to different events in our community.
we talk about possibilities (unlimited) and talk with people about their chosen paths. exposure to different things makes a difference. thanks
I encourage my daughter with supplying her materials, classes, camps etc if she becomes interested in a certain area like art, drama, photography etc.!
My children are pretty young ages 2 & 6. I teach them to try their best always.
He likes helping me go through flyers and know the prices of groceries quite well 🙂
when she gets older (still newborn) i would tell her to follow her passion and that school will be beneficial for her to achieve her passion
I always told my kids to do their best, and encouraged them to do what they love. I’ll say the same to my little granddaughter.
I just like to encourage kids to follow their passions and talents.
We model good choices with career planning and schools.
Talk to them and encourage them to try different things to see what they like doing.
when my daughter gets excited about something new I encourage her to join or learn about it.
We talk about different jobs when they catch their interest. They don’t think of it as a job just something exciting to aspire to and that in itself is exciting and makes talking about it all fun.
We talk about it and i make sure she is getting good grades
Lots of encouragement and support!!
i think its so important to talk to your children, ask them how their day was at school, ask them if they have any problems with what they learned that day. always ask questions and always be supportive, that is the most important thing
I encourage imagination and creativity as I think that helps to develop interests for potential careers
We model the importance of education to have our children think about school.
We talk about careers and encourage them to try their best
letting them talk to others in the fields they are interested to learn what kind of schooling there is involved.
I teach them to know that they can be whatever they want to be.
Ask about their goals.
We like reading books when they are young about different people and their work
we talk about the future often, and how vital it is to find a job you really love!
Encourage them and communicate with them about their goals.
Reading books about different careers is one way we encourage.
often about different career paths and how that would pay their living cost
My kids are still pretty young but I have started to talk to them about what they want to be when they grow up.
We talk a lot about different professions, about what they do. We answer questions my daughter has.
home science experiments to get them more interested
We talk a lot about jobs to try to give them plenty of time to think about it
To ask what they like doing and theur goals.
I let them decide what projects they would like to work on so they can find what they are really I tested in doing.
Listen to them and take part in their interests.
We read a lot.
allowing them to explore and follow their dreams
We get a lot of books about different careers so they can see different jobs and what they people do at the jobs
Encourage them to study.
We have bring a child to work day, which we participate in.
We inspire our kids to think about their education by modelling good choices in our own lives.
Give them lots of opportunities to see & do different things to find what they like to do or would like to do in the future.
I encourage my kids to follow their dreams and we explore a lot of extra curricular activities so they can have a variety of different experiences in their lives.
Prepare them and talk about the future. Encourage them to pursue their dreams, whatever it is.
I think encouraging dreams and making sure kids know none are silly can help develop future career ideas
Talk to them about their dreams.
have them talk to people already doing what they are interested in.
We talk to them a lot of and ask questions
Talk to them about what they think they would like to do in the future and try to learn more about it.
To inspire young kids to continue with education we model good career choices.
I like to take my grandchildren on road trips with new experiences.
I tell my kids that they can do whatever they want to do and I don’t put their ideas down.
We talk about different types of jobs and the schooling involved.
They have to follow their passion and their is no wrong carrier as long as they will love what they do!
I think exposing kids to different careers is a good way to encourage thought about what they would enjoy doing
letting them follow their dreams
Encourage reading.
Encourage new experiences and not to be afraid. Tell them nothing is impossible.
We inspire kids to education my modelling our good choices.
We read a lot with our kids and talk about the value of a dollar and how to work hard to get what we desire.
Encourage them to be what they want to be! Having a long talk with your kids is important!
Encourage and praise them for whatever they choose!!
Give them lots of support and encouragement when it comes to any of their interests.
I help my son to think about his future by reading a lot of books with him that portray different professions.
We discuss a lot of options of what is out there. so that hopefully they don’t get stuck in a dead end job
I taught my kids that the world is full of opportuities you just have to find what you are good at and pursue it
I encourage and inspire them to be whoever or whatever they want to be.I tell them that just by trying is the first step in achieving what they want in life.Learning is important and then applying what they learned is the final step. I also let them know that if they fail they should look at it and figure out why.That lesson is the greatest knowledge to have when you try again.People that can do this are usually strong leaders and they will eventually succeed.
I think exposing kids to different careers out there can help spark interest
Talk to them and encourage their interests.
Talk to them about their goals.
We inspire our kids to good education choices and career plans by modelling the ones we choose.
I invest by supplying any books & materials my daughter needs associated with her interests, like sketchbooks & art supplies, cookbooks, DIY materials, etc.
we like to read a lot of books about various countries which has piqued their interest in many different jobs
I encourage them to try new things
We encourage the passions that are already there…swimming…running…science!
Encourage them in their interests.
We inspire our kids to think about school by modelling our own education and career choices.
Find out their interests.
I think encouraging interests and dreams can help develop future career goals
So much is learned through books and the jobs which the characters are doing.
Encourage them to try out new things to find out what they like doing, which may impact their future choices when it comes to a career.
I encourage my daughter to try different “options” classes at school to see what she might enjoy. Currently she is loving sewing & woodworking! Next semester she will try new things.
I chat with my little godson about it when I have him one on one. I tell him how I loved learning and still do. How going to College was a great experience for me. I ask him about what he likes to do now and encourage him. I validate his feelings.
Talk to them about career choices and what they would like to do!!
with post secondary schooling so expensive, have them talk to others about their careers and they also must follow their dreams.
I think not making any dream sound silly can help foster career goals
I try to set myself as an example
Do some internet searches for those obscure jobs that no one really knows about.
We discuss what type of high school interests her most, whether it be an academic-based school or a trade-based school.
Talk about choices and that they can do whatever they put work into. Being successful means hard work.
Find out their interests
Talk to them about what they think they would like to be when they get older & help them find out more information those careers by reading books, doing online searches etc
My girls & I often talk about different career options! The world is their oyster.
Let them know there is a whole wide world out there, follow their dreams!!
I think that talking to your kids about their dreams and what is out there possibility wise is a huge help
I’ve recently started sitting down and having a discussion with my 15 year old on what he would like to do when he is finished high school. He tells me some ideas that he has and I give recommendations on what he should focus on based on that.
I tell my children and my grandchildren to reach for the stars and to never give up!
Letting your kids be who they are without us putting our own impressions of who they should be is very important
I drive them around poor neighborhood and say this could be you living here.
Talk to them and let them know you are behind them to follow their dreams.
Encourage them to try anything out that they have an interesting to see if they like it.
I encourage them to try anything that they are interested n and to believe in themselves that anything is possible.I teach them that if they fail to try again because failing is a stepping stone to success. Keeping open communication lines and talking is very important to them.
Encourage them to try out different things.
I encourage my children to try your best and never settle Also not to let anyone tell you that you can’t do something. I also try and do activities that are geared towards what they’re interested in.
I talk to my son and tell him he can be whatever he want top be and always follow his dreams.
Whenever I meet a child, I always ask them what they want to be when they grow up, its gets them thinking!
talked often on quality of education
I think talking to kids about their dreams and education can help
we keep communication lines wide open. Nothing is a dumb question. they are also encouraged to try a whole range of things to see what they are interested i=n
I be a good role model for my kids by demonstrating it through everyday actions.
Books are very important. We often go to the library so the kids can choose books of what interests them, to learn about topics they may have never been exposed to before.
Talk to them about their dreams and aspirations.
We focus on their interests & always teach them to do their best.
Talk to them about their inteests and encourage them to follow their dreams.
By teaching them to dream big
Discuss and encourage what they love to do.
Give them tons of encouragement and let them know they can be and do whatever they put their mind to do
Have family discussions with openness & honesty, answer their questions & be an encouraging parent.
Kids are inspired by stories. Have them listen to those told by grandparents if possible.
Support them in their interests, you never know what may turn into a career!
We talk about our own post-secondary educations and the doors that those educations opened up for us.
Discuss how education is important for career planning.
Try to make learning fun so they want to do it and support any interests that they have!