Building your child's future together

Cause and effect is a common method of organizing and discussing ideas why things happen and what happens as a result of those things. This article from the American School Counselor Association gives parents, teachers and mentors a look at appropriate ways to encourage children in each stage of life, and shows the positive effects encouragement has on future career development.

When planning a career with your child, consider the following:

• Work situations and skills needed for employment are constantly changing.
• Almost half of the working population expects to change jobs in the next three years.
• Retraining and upgrading skills will be a requirement for maintaining employment.
• Two-thirds of the jobs created today will require education beyond high school.
• The worker of tomorrow must be able to work as a team member, communicate, solve problems, use technologies, adapt to change and be drug-free.
• Career development is a lifelong process.

Development traits

• Needs and seeks attention and praise.
• Has boundless energy.
• Considers fantasy as reality.
• Shows a variety of tension-releasing behaviors.

Career needs

• Distinguish between work and play.
• Identify different types of work.
• Experience different types of work activities.
• Describe how decisions are made.
• Demonstrate a positive attitude.
• Identify personal feelings.

Parent involvement

• Listen and encourage.
• Encourage involvement in a variety of sports/hobbies.
• Positively reinforce your child for completing chores.
• Praise efforts toward work as well as accomplishments.
• Show an interest and stress the importance of school.
• Give toys that promote role playing.
• Make decisions with not for your child.

FOURTH GRADE SIXTH GRADE

Development traits

• Is more independent.
• Feels that friends and belonging to a group are important.
• Can assume more responsibility.
• Has a surprising scope of interests.
• Can think on his or her own but is influenced by others.

Career needs

• Identify personal interests, abilities, strengths and weaknesses.
• Describe how work at home and/or school relates to jobs in the community.
• Describe how work is important and attainable to all people.
• Describe how personal beliefs and values affect decision making.

Parent involvement

• Encourage good work habits at home. Gradually add responsibilities. Effort/experience are more important than quality.
• Don't assign jobs at home based on gender to avoid stereotyping. Show various workers in your community.
• Participate in your child's school's career education program.
• Listen as your child makes decisions. Keep peer pressure in mind.

SEVENTH GRADE EIGHTH GRADE

Development traits

• Is undergoing dramatic physical changes.
• Is sensitive and has need for approval.
• Tries to build a unique identity apart from parents' influence.
• Wants more independence.
• Is curious but not ready for planning.
• Expresses feelings more openly.

Career needs

• Demonstrate effective skills in working with others.
• Show an appreciation for the similarities and differences among people.
• Describe individual skills and aptitudes required to fulfill roles.
• Identify strategies for managing personal finances.
• Describe skills needed in a variety of occupations.
• Demonstrate skills needed to obtain and keep a job.

Parent involvement

• Discuss your child's skills, interests, abilities and goals to help plan for the future.
• Encourage participation in service-oriented activities in the community.
• Help children meet a variety of workers by arranging job observations, field trips or personal interviews.
• Use guided money-management and allow your child to make economic choices.
• Allow children to work part-time outside the home.

HIGH SCHOOL

Development traits

• Develops a sense of self-identity.
• Begins a more prominent and realistic work/career search.
• Develops a concern with social issues.
• Matures sexually with physical and emotional changes.
• Increases independence.

Career needs

• Understand how individual personality, abilities and interests relate to career goals.
• Understand how education relates to college majors, further training and/or entry into the job market.
• Demonstrate transferable skills that can apply to a variety of occupations and changing work requirements.
• Be able to use a wide variety of career information resources.
• Show responsible decision making.

Parent involvement

• Help your child make independent decisions.
• Encourage exploration of all kinds of post-secondary education opportunities.
• Involve yourself in your child's future planning.
• Give certain economic responsibilities.
• Encourage job awareness.
• Be flexible as the decision-making process evolves. It takes patience and numerous modifications.