WHEN I GROW UP I WANT TO BE ?.

That perennial question ‘what do you want to be when you grow up?’ has been answered in a new survey of preschool children. The answer: a celebrity.

Parents of preschool children were asked what they thought their kids would like to do as a career. Almost a third (31%) said their preschoolers wanted to be a performer - aspiring to be a singer, dancer or actor.

Contrary to their preschoolers, when it comes to their own preference for their children, science-based professions are most popular, with twenty-nine per cent of parents actually choosing a doctor, scientist or engineer. Fewer than one in 10 parents (9%) would like their child to become a performer.

Launched to probe attitudes toward science and scientific learning, the survey results are particularly interesting at a time when the trend towards young people selecting to study science and maths at school appears to be on a downturn.

The research was commissioned by stop-motion animated TV series, Lunar Jim™. Set on the moon, it’s a fresh and unique TV experience engaging youngsters by utilizing basic scientific inquiry skills in an entertaining and fun way.

The survey reveals that when the UK’s preschool children, aged 2-5, grow up they want to be:

• Performer (singer, dancer, actor)
• Fire fighter
• Builder or architect
• Astronaut
• Policeman or woman
• Farmer
• Train driver
• Veterinarian
• Doctor
• Teacher

Said Alexander Bar, creator of Lunar Jim™: "It’s great to see that children are interested in being astronauts - just like Lunar Jim - when they grow up. In an age of celebrity it’s not surprising that so many youngsters want to be performers - but it’s encouraging that their parents really do see the importance of developing an interest in science-oriented learning.

Inquiring Minds and Posing the Question: Why?

With respondents claiming that more than 80 per cent of children ask their parents Why? up to 50 times per day, the survey confirms that preschoolers have extremely inquiring minds that need to be harnessed and stimulated in a meaningful way.

Said Developmental Psychologist for Children’s TV, Dr. Lynn Oldershaw: Preschool children already come equipped with some basic scientific inquiry skills - they are curious, keen observers and energetic explorers. Given that television viewing is a very real part of most children’s lives today, an important goal of Lunar Jim™ is to ensure that they benefit educationally from the experience.

Alexander Bar, continued: Space should feel accessible and exhilarating for young people - it’s the most evocative and exciting part of science. Part of my initial goal with Lunar Jim™ was to recreate the excitement and wonder that I felt about the moon and space as a child.

It’s entirely possible that today’s preschoolers may end up being tomorrow’s colonizers of the moon. Making space and simple science fun is a first step to developing a long term passion for exploration, science and an interest in space.

Sara Tidy, mother of five-year-old son, James, said: My son and his friends adore Lunar Jim™. They all love Lunar Jim and his friend T.E.D. the Technical Equipment Device and happily sing along to the tunes, trying to find solutions to the problems that the characters encounter along the way. My son is always so excited when it’s on, and always has a million questions to ask when the ten minute episodes are over.

Already appealing to an international fan base in Canada, Australia, Germany, France and Mexico, Lunar Jim™ has returned for UK preschoolers to enjoy. Lunar Jim™ airs daily on CBeebies at 5.20pm and on BBC2 at 7.45 am.

For more background on Lunar Jim™ please visit: www.lunarjim.com

The research was undertaken on 18 October 2006 with 792 parents of children aged from two to five (boys made up 51% of the total and girls 49%).

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