ES Creates a Winter Market

Students in The Experiential School at Shorecrest recently participated in a signature event: the ES Winter Market. Designed by Ilaria Belloni, Associate Director of the Ross Roeder Institute for Financial Literacy, Entrepreneurship, and Economics (RRI), in collaboration with ES teachers, the Winter Market introduced young learners to the concepts of value, independent decision-making and resource allocation through a hands-on, engaging experience.

Students in Alpha and Junior Kindergarten crafted handmade items in their classrooms to “sell” at the market. Students beaded keychains and bracelets, tie-dyed T-shirts, decorated magnets and bookmarks, carved and painted magic wands, and more. Then each child was given pretend money: $2 to purchase two items of their choice, $1 to put into the bank, and $1 to donate to an animal shelter. Parent volunteers managed cash registers and offered gift wrapping services.

Ms. Belloni described, "To prepare for our market, students diligently crafted handmade items, learning firsthand the effort required to create something of value. They were so proud of their work that some even chose to 'buy' their own creations! We enjoy evolving this activity each year; this time, we introduced a banking element where students deposited a 'dollar' to spend later."

"The children loved shopping for their treasures," Alpha Teacher Ms. Dominique said. "Experiences like this give young children a hands-on introduction to saving, spending and caring for others."

The goal of this activity was to expose the kids to the concepts of value, responsible spending, and making choices with money, while reinforcing the hard work and effort required to create something of value.

"Empowering a child to make their own choices is one of the greatest gifts we can give them," said Adriana Hollenbeck, Head of the Experiential School. "Through our Winter Market, children explore the value of peer-to-peer appreciation and the spirit of philanthropy, turning a simple classroom activity into a meaningful lesson in empathy, agency, and community connection."

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