Exploring Different Careers Through Coloring is an engaging way to inspire kids to dream big while learning about career possibilities. Naturally concerned about the good and the future of their children, parents would have hopes and dreams for them. But at the same time, it is also important to instill in their children a sense of ambition.
Since children are impressionable, what they’re exposed to often influences them. Presenting career possibilities and examples of aiming high inspires kids to dream big and achieve their goals.
Kids can actively explore future job possibilities in a fun way through a coloring book. A coloring book may not be the first thing that comes to mind when it comes to promoting ambition. Parents can use coloring books to support their kids in Exploring Different Careers Through Coloring. Letting kids color a book with career paths sparks creativity and encourages big dreams.
An exemplary careers coloring book is the I Can Be Anything I Want to Be Coloring Book by Elizabeth Shelby. It has two versions: Inspiring Careers for Girls and Inspiring Careers for Boys, both designed for children aged 4 to 8. They feature both traditional and non-traditional careers.
Traditional and Non-Traditional Careers
Inspiring Kids to Dream Big
Little kids, whether girls or boys, can dream to be whatever they want to be regardless of their gender. Their dreams may change quickly—one moment wanting to be a doctor, the next a police officer—but having dreams inspires them to keep striving. Besides, dreaming is free.
There are several careers available in the job market. And knowing those career options opens up children’s minds to many possibilities. They can either choose to go for a traditional career or dare to go for a non-traditional career.
What Are Traditional and Non-Traditional Careers?
Simply put, traditional and non-traditional careers are basically based on gender roles. This means that by opting for a typical job associated with your gender, you are going for a traditional career. And non-traditional careers are jobs that are traditionally done by the opposite sex.
The US Department of Labor defines non-traditional careers as jobs where less than 25% of employees are of a specific gender.
Back in the day, society stereotyped careers for men and women. People assigned women to less strenuous, nurturing, and organizational jobs, while men took on physically and mentally demanding roles.
A Brief History of Gender Stereotypes in Careers
In the past, society stereotyped careers for men and women. Women were once confined to occupations such as nursing, secretarial work, administrative assisting, sales, and teaching at nursery, kindergarten, elementary, or middle school levels. Careers often perceived as men’s jobs include EMT, paramedic, firefighter, engineer, and web developer, among others.
The gender barrier that once existed and hindered potential workers from opportunities no longer exists. In these modern times, the corporate world has become more open to both female and male workers alike. Many companies are now even considering balancing out the number of women and men in their workforce.
Some examples of non-traditional careers for women are physician, surgeon, computer programmer, firefighter, chef, and etc. Some examples of non-traditional careers for men are nurse, occupational therapist, social worker, teacher, and etc.
Examples of Non-Traditional Careers
Non-traditional careers face challenges because tradition, culture, and societal perceptions of gender roles often promote a closed mindset. As a result, society discourages people with passions and interests in non-traditional jobs, making them fear shame and judgment. Women may face doubts about their ability to perform the job, while men might endure mockery about their sexuality.
However, research shows an increasing number of women and men are pursuing and succeeding in non-traditional careers. Women are just as capable of excelling in demanding jobs, and men can thrive in traditionally female-oriented roles. What truly matters is choosing a profession that brings happiness, allows for growth, and leads to success. People should not let others’ opinions hold them back from pursuing a fulfilling career where their skills shine.
Choosing a non-traditional job that aligns with one’s passion often boosts job satisfaction and productivity by reflecting personal interests and goals.
A higher salary is another advantage to non-traditional jobs. This is mostly true for women, as the pay is higher in careers that are dominated by men. Some non-traditional careers for men are also high-paying like occupational therapy, speech-language pathology, nursing, physical therapy, and chiropractic.
Moreover, as individuals take up non-traditional careers, they inspire others to follow, actively reshaping society’s perception of gender and careers. Ultimately, this positively leaves an impact on the job market and societal views.
Nevertheless, whatever career a child chooses, whether traditional or non-traditional, parents’ guidance and support are essential.
A Coloring Book That Inspires
Elizabeth Shelby’s I Can Be Anything I Want to Be Coloring Book hits two birds with one stone. It keeps little girls and boys entertained while inspiring them with the many different careers presented in it.
Elizabeth Shelby: Supporting Kids’ Development
Elizabeth Shelby has always been about the development of little kids. In fact, one of this accomplished coloring book author’s passions is to bring out the best in little kids, and it’s evident in her works. This time, her careers coloring book encourages kids to be ambitious for them to realize their full potential.
Versions for Boys and Girls
With both girls and boys in mind, Elizabeth Shelby made two versions of this coloring book: Inspiring Careers for Girls and Inspiring Careers for Boys. To serve as models for girls and boys, the coloring book for girls features female subjects in the pictures, while the coloring book for boys features male subjects in pictures. Both versions are for ages 4 to 8.
In the coloring book are representations of various careers showing professionals in their uniform, using or holding their tools, in their work environment, and etc. There are over 50 careers depicted in each version. And the careers included in the coloring book are a mix of traditional and non-traditional careers.
Breaking Gender Norms
Little girls and boys may even imagine themselves wearing the uniforms and doing the jobs shown in the pictures, which can make coloring even more interesting. The assortment of various professions can empower them to freely consider any job that they can possibly take in the future, whether traditional or non-traditional. This coloring book promotes the idea that a person’s capabilities are not to be measured merely by one’s gender.
The pictures in this coloring book have a large; 8.5″ x 11″ format, so kids can enjoy a big space for coloring as they dream big. And as free as they can aspire to be whatever they wish, they’re free to fill the pages with their creativity without the colors bleeding through since its pages have single-sided printing.
Little future nurses, doctors, engineers, teachers, social workers, and etc would surely love to be gifted such fun, motivational coloring book. Whether for a birthday; Christmas; or just because, this would be a nice gift to give a little kid.
The Benefits of Exploring Different Careers Through Coloring
Coloring is immensely beneficial in the early stages of the development of children. This enjoyable activity that children love to do is more than just a pastime. The happy times little kids spend pouring out their creativity and bringing pictures to life in coloring books can result in their improvement in a broad range of physical, mental, and psychological aspects.
Enhancing Creativity and Color Recognition
Coloring stimulates creativity as kids imagine what colors to use for the images. Even if their small, unsteady hands exceed the lines, their creativity is still practiced and enhanced.
As they choose colors for each picture, color recognition is developed naturally. Kids begin to identify and differentiate colors, building a foundational skill that benefits them in other areas of learning.
Strengthening Fine Motor Skills
And as they choose the colors for a picture, color recognition is being developed in them. When coloring a picture, their grip and the movement of their hands help strengthen finger; hand; and wrist muscles, thus enhancing motor skills. This can also enhance their writing ability and prepare them for school activities.
In addition to toning the hands, coloring also improves the hands’ coordination with the eyes. The actions involved in coloring, such as choosing a color from the set of crayons; holding a crayon; applying colors to the spaces in the illustration; and etc utilizes both the hands and eyes at the same time. So coloring trains children’s hand and eye coordination.
Coloring takes time and attention. As children fill in every detail of a picture with color, it imparts in them the value of patience and develops their focus.
Focusing on coloring can actually help with stress relief. Coloring helps children release unpleasant emotions, leaving them calm and relaxed. Completing a picture gives them a sense of accomplishment and self-pride. As a result, their confidence and self-esteem are increased. It’s their completion of tasks like this that boosts their morale and pushes them to give their best in whatever they do. Through Exploring Different Careers Through Coloring, kids can learn about diverse roles in an enjoyable and interactive way.
Children are free to dream to be anything they want. Elizabeth Shelby’s I Can Be Anything I Want to Be Coloring Book introduces children to careers creatively. It inspires them to imagine their best selves in their chosen paths while offering extra benefits. In conclusion, Exploring Different Careers Through Coloring is a fun and educational activity that broadens children’s horizons and inspires their goals.
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