Guess My Job
Here's What To Do
Tell your child you're going to play a game called 'Guess my Job.' Explain how it works: you'll take turns pretending to do a job. The other person has to guess what job the first person is pretending to do.
Demonstrate how it works by going first. Pick a job and act it out using your body or props/costumes from around the house. Give your child hints if they are having trouble guessing.
Ask your child to go next. If they need ideas, give them 3 jobs to choose from. Some jobs for inspiration:
- Chef, teacher, parent, scientist, doctor, veterinarian, hairdresser, mail person, religious leader, firefighter, shopkeeper, musician, artist, dancer, pilot, construction worker, waiter, farmer, bus driver, athlete
Repeat. Take turns acting and guessing.
Put PEER Into Action
Pause:
- Give each other a double high five up high, and then down low.
Engage:
- "I'm going to act out a job. You have to guess what job I'm doing!"
- "Your turn! Think of a job you can pretend to be doing. You can use toys or things around the house if that helps you pretend."
Encourage:
- "This is a tricky one to guess. Let me give you a hint. I'm checking this dog stuffie. Do you know what job would take care of sick dogs?"
- "It's hard to think of jobs, right? How about you pick one of these to pretend: chef, artist, construction worker."
Reflect:
- "Which one of these jobs do you think it would be fun to have in real life? Why?"
Not quite ready?
If your child is having a hard time acting out jobs, have them be the "guesser" every time.
Ready for more?
Expand one of their favorite jobs into an extended pretend play scenario.
As your child masters this skill...
They will know about different jobs in the community and what people do in those jobs.