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KidVentures Creates Cool Biz!
Thanks to KidVentures, a vision implemented by project director Alice Horn, fourth and fifth graders at Ludlam Elementary School in Florida have experienced running a successful business.
Ms. Horn, who has a background in both business and design, wanted to have a greater impact on children. "I felt strongly that there was a need to teach kids about the business world," she says. A former business-owner herself, Horn approached several schools about her plan, and was elated when Kristine Dittmar, principal of Ludlam Elementary enthusiastically approved her idea.
Her first group of students named their business Art by Kids, and started by designing and selling a collection of unique greeting cards to parents and teachers at the school. Their first sales event did so well they decided to form an ongoing business to sell their creations, using school functions and community events as their venue for sales.
Ms. Horn was thrilled with the students' success, and decided to form KidVentures Inc., a nonprofit organization, to give support and guidance to the young entrepreneurs.
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"Running a business is a great opportunity for these kids. It reinforces both math and writing skills. We've also seen improved attendance with this group. " - Kristine
Dittmar, principal of Ludlam Elementary School.
The group's classroom teacher, Bob LeBron, has a retail and marketing background and brings his expertise into the classroom by having the students set up their own retail "stores" to teach math skills.
"This type of learning experience can't be recreated in a textbook," says Horn. "This is a real business transaction. The products are real, and real money changes hands. That's why the kids are so motivated to learn in this situation."
KidVentures was recently awarded grants by the Dade Community Foundation, the Ethel and W. George Kennedy Foundation, and the City of South Miami. This has allowed them to quadruple the size of the program. They are also seeking additional market opportunities for the children's' products.
Ms. Horn's advice to teachers who want to start a similar program? "It may seem overwhelming at first, but the pay off can be tremendous," she says. "The kids learn so many skills they won't even realize they're learning."
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"They're learning things which will translate into future career skills, such as how to interact with customers. They can't wait to have their turn counting out change! But the best thing for me is watching their self-esteem go up a few notches when they see how much customers like something that they created."