Take Your Child to Work Day - Thursday, April 24

Take Your Child to Work Day is an internationally recognized day for children to go to work with their parents. It was originally called Take Your Daughter to Work Day to guide more girls and women into the workforce when it was instated in 1993. While this day was created for U.S. children, it is now celebrated in countries all over the world. Take Your Child to Work Day is held on the fourth Thursday in April annually.

The current goal of Take Your Child to Work Day is to introduce young children to a range of jobs throughout their childhood so that they will have a better idea of what to expect from the workforce when they eventually join it.

Take Your Child to Work Day benefits both kids and adults. Bringing your child into work can help humanize you to your colleagues. If your child gets sick, for example, your boss or coworkers may be more understanding if they have met your child. Additionally, it allows your colleagues to see another aspect of your personality and life. The same applies to children. They will see you in a different role than they do at home, and hopefully, gain some understanding about what you do all day at work.

Fun things to do at KCC on Take Your Child to Work Day on 4/24/25

8:45 a.m.: President's Welcome (L110 – Auditorium)

9 a.m.-10 a.m. Green House visit and flower planting activity. The Greenhouse is located on KCC's West Campus. Information and activities will be provided by Katelynn Ohrt, Assistant Dean of Business, Technology, and Human Services. Please RSVP for your child to Katelynn at kohrt@kcc.edu to ensure enough supplies for all participants.

10 a.m.-noon: Painting activity with KCC's Art department in Room D151. This activity is open house style and allows for people to stop by at their convenience.

11 a.m.-noon: STEM Slime Lab with Jessica Kawa, Chemistry Professor, in Room R307.

1 p.m.-2 p.m.: Snow Cones, color pages, games, and Esports in the College Center (L139 and L137) with Maurice Sullivan, Coordinator of Student Life & Development, and KCC's mascot, KC Cavalier!

2 p.m.-3 p.m.: Gym time in the Gymnasium (G123). Come shoot hoops with KCC Cavalier basketball players, enjoy running under a huge parachute, or just run off the sugar from the snow cones!

3 p.m.-3:30 p.m.: Storytime in the Library (L150).

For directions, click the link in the room above or view the Riverfront Campus Maps at https://www.kcc.edu/about/visitor-information/.

Fun things to see at KCC on Take Your Child to Work Day on 4/24/25

• Stop by room W102 to get your child a student i.d. (W Building).
• Hop on an ambulance and see what it's like to be an EMT (M Building/Health Careers).
• Check out the artwork and sculptures in the Art Gallery (R Building/Arts & Sciences).
• Admire the guitars being built or the cars being fixed (V Building/Technology wing).
• Take a renewable energy tour to point out KCC's solar wind tower and the new solar array (south end of campus).
• Quietly peek in at a class in session to see college students in action.
• Attend the "How to Manage Your Finances Wisely" presentation from 12:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. on the 2nd floor of the Library.

Do's for Take Your Child to Work Day: To make Take Your Child to Work Day the best possible experience for both you and your child, please follow this list of do's:

• Research the Programming: Know what to expect from the day so both you and your child will be prepared and ready. See a schedule of fun optional events above!
• Know the age recommendations:  We don't recommend bringing in kids under 5 years old; additionally, if you work in a location with heavy machinery or other potentially dangerous equipment, consider saving your child's visit until they are in middle or high school.
• Assess your schedule: Keep important or lengthy meetings off your calendar on Take Your Child to Work Day. You may not get as much work done as you normally do, so prepare ahead of time to meet any goals.
• Provide expectations: Your child should know how they are to behave at the college. Set clear expectations.
• Have a backup plan: Younger children may not be able to make it through the whole day. Have a caregiver ready to pick up your child if needed.
• Check with your immediate supervisor: Be sure to check in with your boss and immediate colleagues before bringing your child in for the day.
• Inform your child's school: Contact your child's school and let them know their student will be with you for the day rather than in the classroom. Arrange make-up work ahead of time if needed.
• Introduce your child: Present your child to your coworkers when you arrive. Model for your child how to meet someone new in a professional setting.
• Reflect on the day afterwards: On the drive home or at dinner that evening, debrief about the day with your child. Ask them what they thought of your workplace, your position and the program.

Don'ts for Take Your Child to Work Day: There are some behaviors you will want to avoid to have the most successful Take Your Child to Work Day. Please follow this list of don'ts as well:

• Force your child: If your child does not want to go to work with you, do not force them to. It will only lead to a challenging day for you and your child.
• Overstimulate: Know your child's limits. If they are getting overtired or seem to be losing focus, give your child a chance to decompress.
• Bore your child: Kids have shorter attention spans than adults. While you may be able to focus on a spreadsheet for several hours, your child may not. Bring something for them to do while you work if needed.
• Ignore your child: Don't expect to come into work and leave your child on their own. You must always be with them.
• Have a bad attitude: If there are parts of your job you do not like or colleagues who are difficult to get along with, try to put that aside for your child. Keep a positive attitude at work with your child present.
• Pretend your job is different: Your child will be impressed by whatever it is you do. There is no need to pretend you do something you don't.
• Bring in more than one child: Although you may have more than one child, please only bring one child with you each year; then next year, you can bring another child to work.

Should you have any other questions pertaining to Take Your Child to Work Day, please contact Kendra Souligne at ext. 8556 or David Cagle at ext. 8128.