The Value of Holiday Shops & In-School Stores

It is truly an incredible sight to see a child shopping on their own. From the mini-homemakers to the little explorer who never seems to be able to keep his hands out of the dirt, there is a new sense of responsibility and independence. This kind of experience is extremely vital in a child’s growth and development.

Jean Piaget (1896-1980), a clinical psychologist famous for his work in childhood development, vocalized an idea regarding two concepts he called “assimilation and accommodation.” According to Piaget, assimilation is the process by which a human absorbs material from the environment. Accommodation is the sum of the differences made by that absorption. These concepts were crucial parts to his theory on experiential learning.

Even when it may not be an official part of the curriculum, teachers of young children usually work very hard to find good, tangible experiences to support learning. Field trips are the best example of this idea. There aren’t many schools that don’t make spaces in their budget for these kinds of trips because it helps students assimilate the material from their world.

The concept is the same with holiday shopping fairs.

By letting children use an allowance to shop and buy gifts for their family during the holiday season, they end up gaining more than a few Christmas gifts. By experiencing a tiny slice of the choices their parents make while they’re shopping in the grocery store, they begin to understand budgeting and what it means to be a smart consumer.

Tangible lessons like this help students see the value in their education in an effective, fun, and practical way.