Dear Teachers: Let's rephrase our questions...

Here's a thought: Instead of asking a child "What do you want to be when you grow up?"...why not ask "What problem do you want to solve?"

I was recently having a conversation with a business owner and this was something he mentioned which got me thinking very deeply.

From a young age, children are made to start thinking about their future with questions like, what do you want to be when you grow up? What do you like to do? What's your favourite subject?

…But while those are important questions, they often frame a child’s aspirations within the limits of job titles or existing roles i.e. doctor, teacher, astronaut, artist.

There is already an emerging speculation that the purpose of the education system is actually to prepare more labourers for the labour force, increase the white and blue collar workforce supply and maintain the structures of economic productivity rather than to cultivate purpose, critical thinking or meaningful contribution to society. In other words, the aim of the current education system is to maintain a steady pipeline of compliant workers, rather than thinkers, creators or individuals equipped to challenge injustice and solve real-world problems.

Don't misunderstand what I am trying to say...an adequate and constantly growing workforce is definitely needed in order for society to even function, however, I believe the purpose of education should be to guide a child into fulfilling their full and God given potential. This may eventually lead to them joining the streamline of labour contributing to the economic stability of society, but that should be a byproduct, not the primary goal.

The generic question of "what do you want to be when you grow up?" may lead children to think in terms of labels, not impact. It’s as if their value lies solely in what they do, rather than why they do it.

So what if, instead of asking “What do you want to be?”, we asked “What problem do you want to solve?” Suddenly, the conversation becomes about curiosity, purpose and contribution. A child who says they want to solve loneliness might grow into someone who builds community, whether as a counsellor, an architect or even a game designer. A child who wants to solve the problem of polluted oceans may become a marine biologist, an environmental lawyer or a tech innovator designing sustainable solutions.

By centring the question around problems, we give children permission to think beyond themselves! We teach them to notice the world around them - its beauty, its brokenness and their place in shaping it. This is what education is about!

Education should first awaken identity, purpose and calling to help each child discover who they were created to be and what unique problems they are meant to solve in the world. Not just preparing them to fit in to a system, but inspiring them to transform it or even create a new system.

Of course, children will still dream of becoming ballerinas, firefighters and YouTubers and that’s wonderful. But when we introduce the idea of serving a purpose, we help them attach meaning to their dreams. We remind them that their lives are not just about what they do, but who they help and what they change.

And here’s the beautiful irony: when people work for something greater than themselves - when their careers are purpose-driven and aligned with their values - we don’t just get a happier individual...We get a more inspired and resilient workforce. People are more likely to show up with energy, to innovate, to stay engaged and even to work longer because they’re not simply working for a paycheque, they’re contributing to something they believe in.

It leads to fewer cases of burnout, more positivity in workplace culture and greater societal impact over time. When people are driven by purpose rather than pressure, by calling rather than conformity, the ripple effects are powerful. Not only does society still function - it flourishes!

So the next time you're talking with a child, try asking:

“What makes you sad or frustrated about the world?

“What do you wish you could fix or improve?"

"What problem would you be excited to solve?”

You might be surprised by their answers.

You might even be inspired.

Because children are not just future workers.

They’re future problem-solvers. And the earlier we speak to that part of them, the brighter our future becomes.