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EDUCATION
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All young people, including small children, are encouraged to have a stall at the Original Open Market. It is an ideal teaching tool for those children to learn the value of money and to absorb business skills. Students from the Christies Beach High School Business Course have utilized the market for their business ideas. This has given the students comprehensive work experience and an inside, practical knowledge of what is needed to run a successful business and what is required to succeed. It is not only the older children for whom the market caters. Even pre-kindergarten children have fronted up, with mum behind them, to sell their unwanted toys. Tiny children with eager faces will do their utmost to sell an item. On one occasion, a seven year old young man wanted another game for his play station. His parent's couldn't, or wouldn't buy it for him, so with their permission, he put the game on lay-by with one of the stallholders and attended the market with a stall, selling his discarded toys until he could pay the game off. The pride in his accomplishment radiated from him when he reached his goal. He was almost beside himself with excitement. One of the busiest stalls belonged to a young boy who brought his duplicate collector cards to sell. He exuded an unusual air of mature confidence (unusual for one so young), and showed himself as a very experienced, very able, business man while mum and dad sat back and watched. With the tight financial situation most families experience these days, the Original Open Market gives family units a venue and chance to "fend" for themselves. When the children "really need" or "must absolutely have" a particular toy, computer game or even brand-named clothes, the parents and even the children themselves, are able to buy the items at the market without breaking the bank. The children also learn that money does not really come from an endless source, or a bottomless pocket; that if they really want an item, they have the chance to earn the money and buy it for themselves. They also learn the art of bartering, and learn it very quickly. Mother's Day, or Father's Day, will often see young children at the market attempting to bargain with a stallholder for a particular item that they want for a gift. There was one very small child, only a baby really, who asked how much an item was. He was told it cost $5. That suited the child, he said he had $5 and promptly produced a five cent piece. That child soon learned the difference between dollars and cents. But that is not all. stallholders do not permit young children to buy "expensive" items without first obtaining permission from an adult. The children learn very quickly and enjoy the experience. If these children continue as they have started, Australia is going to end up with quite a few more very good business people. Let us encourage these children. Who knows how many future millionaires we have in our midst.
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Original Open Market Inc. The free to the public market. All Rights
Reserved Updated 10 September 2008 |