The Age Parents Want Their Kids to Start Thinking About Careers May Surprise You
Crawl, walk, work?
Parents today want kids to start thinking about the future right from the get go. After surveying 2,000 parents, The Toy Association found 56 percent of parents have a career in mind for their kids when they’re only five and a half years old.
You’ve probably heard a lot about the importance of STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and math), so it’s no shocker that nine out of 10 parents try to encourage their kids to develop skills in these areas. Which is why the majority of parents want their little ones to end up in STEM/STEAM career fields. The most popular picks? Engineer, doctor and web developer/programmer.
Other skills they think are crucial for their children to develop now in order to reach success later in life are written and oral communication (60 percent), tech and computer literacy (58 percent) and mathematics (57 percent).
The biggest roadblock standing in parents’ way of early skill training? Screen time. Most moms and dads feel like they’re constantly competing with non-educational use of tablets and phones to get their kids’ undivided attention. Because of the excessive amount of screen time, parents say their children are more technologically savvy than their parents by the time they are eight years old.
In order to start them young, 85 percent of moms and dads try to foster a hunger for learning through play. Their favorite go-tos are STEAM-focused toys (67 percent), at-home experiments (57 percent) and learning-focused apps (54 percent).
“Play is how children learn the skills and prowess they need for success in life, and the toys they play with are an integral part in helping them develop interests and passions that will serve as a foundation of a future career.” says Ken Seiter, EVP of marketing communications at The Toy Association.
Not sure what’s the real deal when it comes to toys that’ll boost baby’s brain? Check out The Bump’s picks for the best developmental toys for babies and toddlers. And no, high-tech toys aren’t always the favorite. Experts say a cardboard box will do the trick.
Please note: The Bump and the materials and information it contains are not intended to, and do not constitute, medical or other health advice or diagnosis and should not be used as such. You should always consult with a qualified physician or health professional about your specific circumstances.
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