Work and jobs — Economics, 4–6 years
People use their time and skills to make things, solve problems and help others; a job is one organised way of doing this.
Work uses time and skill
Work is what people do with time and skill to make something or help someone. A job is regular work with a role, such as a cook, nurse, builder or bus driver.
Why do people work?
A community needs food, homes, transport, care and many other things. Work brings people’s skills together to provide them, and paid work can give a person money for other things they need or choose.
A baker’s morning
At 5 o’clock, Ana mixes flour, water and yeast. She spends three hours shaping and baking 40 loaves. The bread is a good, and Ana’s baking work helps make it available for people to buy.
Not all work looks the same
A child may notice only jobs done outside home or jobs that earn money. It is reasonable to think that way, but cooking, cleaning and caring also use time and effort, even when they are not paid jobs.
Notice the work around you
On the way to school, notice the driver, the crossing guard, the cleaner and the shop worker. Each uses different skills and time. Together, their work helps a place function every day.
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