Am I reading into this too much?

DS is in Pre-K.
The teacher has a note up about guest speakers wanted to come in and talk about "community".

Listed as being "wanted" is policeman, fireman, dentist, doctor, nurse, vet, postal worker, construction worker, hairstylist, waiter and chef.

I'm a social worker.

I know these kids are young and may not get it yet but personally, I see nothing wrong with talking about a variety of professions from a young age (I can think of many others just based on my own family--CPAs, attorneys, etc).

DS is 5 and knows that "I help people in a hospital place".

I wrote a note to the teacher that I would gladly come in and speak.

Am I totally reading into this?

Obviously it's her wording that I'm having issue with, but still, it rubs me the wrong way.



I spoke with a few of my friends who are social workers and they said our profession ESPECIALLY kids should be aware of.

Thoughts?

ETA: Would you be annoyed if your profession was left off (it doesn't have to be specific to me). I think overall she should've just asked for anyone who wanted to talk about their job to come in....

Message edited 2/5/2014 8:11:23 PM.

Re: Am I reading into this too much?

I am a social worker too. My DS (he is 7) and DD1 (she is 4) have an idea that I help people too. Do you think that maybe the teacher listed those professions because the kids may be learning about them now? Or maybe the teacher thinks that those professions would be easiest to understand at that age? I would maybe ask the teacher when he/she responds if there was a reason those professions were listed as opposed to others.

Re: Am I reading into this too much?

Re: Am I reading into this too much?

I think you're reading too much into it. There are so many jobs in the world but when children learn about their communities they generally do focus on those very common, well known jobs such as doctor, policeman, chef, etc because it's what most children will recognize and understand.

That being said, it's great you offered to go in and speak and if I was the teacher I'd welcome it. But I do also understand why she asked for those specific jobs, they are the jobs that most communities units are structured around.

Re: Am I reading into this too much?

Posted by Hofstra26

I think you're reading too much into it. There are so many jobs in the world but when children learn about their communities they generally do focus on those very common, well known jobs such as doctor, policeman, chef, etc because it's what most children will recognize and understand.

That being said, it's great you offered to go in and speak and if I was the teacher I'd welcome it. But I do also understand why she asked for those specific jobs, they are the jobs that most communities units are structured around.

Re: Am I reading into this too much?

I would say maybe she listed those because most kids have seen those listed in action everyday or on a regular basis. There are thousands of careers and many help or work with the community. I think the ones listed were probably done so as I said bc they are most easily daily recognized by young kids. I would be interested though as to whether the teacher takes you up on your offer. Maybe they felt it could bring up questions the teacher didn't want to deal with? As you said...attorney''s, bankers, social workers, and many other careers were not mentioned. Maybe she was trying to narrow it down. I would not take it personally.

Message edited 2/5/2014 8:34:41 PM.

Re: Am I reading into this too much?

That makes sense too (not wanting to address certain kinds of questions).

Well, either way one of us will go in because DH has his own construction company and that was on the list!

Re: Am I reading into this too much?

I wouldn't read too much into it. My kids are 8 and 6, when you ask what I do, they say I make popcorn and meat snacks. I'm in digital marketing for a food company.

DH is a lawyer, so I guess by that list he wouldn't be their first choice either... LOL

Message edited 2/5/2014 11:22:04 PM.

Re: Am I reading into this too much?

Did she answer you? I bet she will be fine with it and in hindsight I would say you read too much into it. If she says no.........beat her up

Re: Am I reading into this too much?

Not yet, sending in school bag today that both DH and I would volunteer if needed.

I need to turn off my brain.

Re: Am I reading into this too much?

That's how I feel whenever I watch Higglytown Hero. My profession (doing grants funding) is never going to be on but the pizza maker gets to be a hero. Hahah...

Re: Am I reading into this too much?

Posted by Hofstra26

I think you're reading too much into it. There are so many jobs in the world but when children learn about their communities they generally do focus on those very common, well known jobs such as doctor, policeman, chef, etc because it's what most children will recognize and understand.

That being said, it's great you offered to go in and speak and if I was the teacher I'd welcome it. But I do also understand why she asked for those specific jobs, they are the jobs that most communities units are structured around.

Re: Am I reading into this too much?

MIL picked up DS yesterday but she invited both DH and I to come in next week to speak.

Now DH is saying he has the cooler job anyway so all the kids are going to prefer to speak to him.

Re: Am I reading into this too much?

Posted by MorningCuppaCoffee

MIL picked up DS yesterday but she invited both DH and I to come in next week to speak.

Now DH is saying he has the cooler job anyway so all the kids are going to prefer to speak to him.

Message edited 2/7/2014 8:04:55 AM.

Re: Am I reading into this too much?

Posted by MorningCuppaCoffee

MIL picked up DS yesterday but she invited both DH and I to come in next week to speak.

Now DH is saying he has the cooler job anyway so all the kids are going to prefer to speak to him.

Re: Am I reading into this too much?

My opinion is it was an oversight on the teachers behalf. I think your profession is well suited for a lesson on community, especially since how fast our society is changing.