We recognise that success begets success and, the rich get richer. But do we recognise why?
The reason, if you pause to think, is simple: It stems from a deep understanding and knowledge of finance.
It’s why I started Kids at Switch with the mission of not only fostering financial literacy in each student, but do so in a way that taps their passions and sense of play into a sense of unshakeable purpose.
The concept is inspired by the disparate influences of highly successful investors such as Robert Kiyosaki and Warren Buffett, and innovative educationists such as Sir Ken Robinson, besides Finland’s education system.
Let me cite an example to illustrate how Kids at Switch works.
Think, and then think ahead
Patrick (9) and Divyesh (8) were intensely passionate about folding origami. When they first started at Kids at Switch, they applied for the Origami Trainer and Inventor jobs. Patrick learnt his origami skills using YouTube as his teacher. “I learn how to fold all these different types of origami by watching YouTube. I can stop. I can pause. And I can watch it as many times as I want,” he said.
Kids at Switch encourages children to set both learning and financial goals, as they follow their passions. We do this by providing them with equal opportunities to create their own success stories, without having the fear of falling behind.
The threesome of Patrick, Divyesh and Michael set a financial goal – to buy the biggest classroom shop, with the hope of leveraging it to generate another source of income. After negotiations and collaborations, the three boys even decided to become business partners. They each saved up $19 in order to purchase the classroom business store and chose to call it Origami Fortress.
The boys are now juggling ideas with each other to find ways to create products that can turn their passion into a profitable business. Clearly, Patrick’s and Divyesh’s initial passion of making origami, channeled through creative play, has quickly evolved into a realistic goal.
Kids at Switch has become a place where their students don’t consider it a school. Instead, it has become a place where they yearn to create, innovate and contribute. From our observation, when children are given the opportunities to discover their passion, they move, learn and live with a stronger purpose.
In this mini-economy, not only do children learn about the world of modern finance, they also discover what their interests are and how to pursue them. They grow audacious and want to try new things. Eventually, all want to make some kind of difference in the world.
Jamie Lee, after completed her education degree at Macquarie University, is out on a mission to foster financial literacy and entrepreneurship in students, while tapping their passions.
