When I grow up, I want to be…

Create a display where every child in the school has a template of a hand with a pointing up finger and they write or draw on it something that they want to do when they grow up.

The display could be in the hall or a corridor, starting with Nursery and going up to Year 6 (Eng) P7 (Sco), so that as the children move around school they can read each other’s ideas.

No special resources, but you could use our writing template.

See our template here.

Aspirational survey

At the start of the day, in each class, children are given 10 choices of things that they might like to do when they grow up. For example: go to space, represent their country in a sport, be happy, travel around the world, be a magician etc. The list can be decided by your children or staff.

Next, the staff ask children to vote on the option they would most like. Votes are collected and counted and then the results are presented and announced to the whole school in assembly.

You will need:

1. A list of 10 aspirational choices for children to vote on.

2. Voting slips.

3. Boxes or similar place to post their votes.

‘When I grow up’ display

Start this whole-school display option by creating a sign in large letters: ‘When I Grow Up I Want to be ……’ and display it on a wall.

Add a chair in front for children and adults to sit while holding up their goal on a wipe board and have their photo taken to add to the display.

You will need:

1. A suitable display area

2. Display created ‘When I Grow Up I Want to be…’ signage

3. A wipe board and pen

4. Camera or similar for taking photos

• Read the book ‘When I grow up ‘ by Tim Minchin
• Listen to and learn the song, ‘When I grow up’ from the musical, Matilda
• Hold an ‘aspirations’ assembly, where some children from each class say what they want to do when they grow up. Teachers can join in as well, talking about aspirations for things they still want to achieve. Children can share what they have been doing with their class from the SCARF RSE day activities

 3 – 7 years - SCARF assemblies: Growing and Changing 3-7 years

 7 – 11 years - SCARF assemblies: Growing and Changing 7-11 years