RSS FeedWays to Introduce Children to Entrepreneurship
Children have the ability to absorb new things quite naturally. Therefore when we introduce them to new concepts they get interested quite easily. Unfortunately, the education that is being imparted to them largely makes them think of growing up as an employee in a workplace rather than as an employer. It is time that we introduce the children to the pragmatic way of life. Along with their regular subjects entrepreneurship should also be incorporated in their curriculum. If you care to observe, you will find that most children are very curious about money. If we can play on this part of their curiosity, then we will be able to introduce them on ways and means to become an entrepreneur or how to handle finances in a small way.
However, the theories and principles of entrepreneurship have to be inculcated into them through simple examples. The following tips can be used to achieve the objective.
1. Stories
Children love stores. You can start with real life stories, especially stories about kids like them that have become entrepreneurs. Gather stores from internet, libraries and such other places. After telling the story get them involved in the story by asking pertinent questions about the story. Kids will relate well to stories about kids.
2. Field trip
You can take your child along with some friends, to your local businesses to let them see first hand how a particular business operates. That way they will be able to discuss the subject amongst themselves and learn more. They will know how a business works when they become entrepreneurs.
3. Let them earn
If your child is in favor of some charity or cause, you can make him play a bigger role in it by taking part in fundraiser for that cause. Let him choose a product that he will be able to sell to raise fund. Let his friends join him in this endeavor. Let them chalk out their own strategy to raise fund.
4. Let them plan
Teach them to plan ahead. Get them to design their own planner where they are going to write what they are going to do tomorrow. Along with the planner they need to maintain a journal book in which they can put down on a daily basis important or interesting things. This will teach them to be responsible and plan for the future and utilize time properly when they become entrepreneurs in their own rights.
5. Let them imagine
Through the internet, travel magazine, books etc., let them see all the wonderful and beautiful places in the world that they could visit. Get them involved in finding out all the information regarding the place that fascinates them. How to get there? How much will it cost to get there? What all to see there? These are some of the questions that will involve your child and be one of their goals in life.
6. Let them do the odd
Involve them in games and fun that will teach them indirectly. For example, play memory games or identify things while blindfolded. Solve puzzles with them. This will enhance their creativity and problem solving aptitude which will help when they are on their way to entrepreneurship.
7. Let them playact
Have party in which let the children playact whatever role they want, like playing a doctor. This will give them the feel of what they want to become in future, now. Their aspiration level will grow.
8. Let them share
Share your family finances with your child. Let him know how home finances are managed. How the checks are written in order to pay the bills. How the home finances are balanced – the income and the expenses. This will help the child when he becomes an entrepreneur.
The above points can be used to imbibe the seed of a responsible person into the child at the early age and inspire him to choose the path of entrepreneurship.