Consumerism
Issues today Series
What’s inside...
This series examines the most important issues facing the world today. It presents the latest facts, figures and arguments to enable children to make up their own minds about these important questions. This particular title covers the issue of consumerism.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
10-18
Length
48 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What does it mean to be a wise consumer? Can you think of examples from the story?
How did the characters in the book decide what they needed versus what they wanted?
Why is it important to think about how our choices affect others?
What are some ways we can make good choices when we shop?
How do you feel when you buy something new, and how long does that feeling last?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their thoughts and feelings about the book's themes without any right or wrong answers. Use examples from your family’s own shopping habits to relate the story to real-life scenarios. Highlight the moral of the story by discussing the consequences of consumer choices depicted in the book. Ask your child to draw or write about an alternative ending to the story based on different consumer choices. Pose hypothetical scenarios to your child to see how they would apply the lessons from the book in those situations.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Importance of mindful spending
Explanation: The story illustrates the consequences of impulsive buying through the character's experiences.
Real-World Application: Children learn to think critically about their needs versus wants, fostering financial responsibility from a young age.
Example Lesson: Understanding the value of money
Explanation: Characters in the book earn and save money, showing how effort correlates to financial rewards.
Real-World Application: Kids can apply this by doing small jobs around the house for pocket money, learning that money is earned through hard work.
Example Lesson: Environmental awareness
Explanation: The book highlights the impact of excessive consumerism on the environment through vivid storytelling.
Real-World Application: Children are encouraged to reuse and recycle, helping them understand their role in preserving the environment.
Example Lesson: Gratitude for possessions
Explanation: Through the characters' journeys, the book teaches appreciation for what one has, rather than constant acquisition.
Real-World Application: This lesson can be applied in a child's life by encouraging them to donate old toys or clothes, cultivating a sense of generosity and contentment.
Example Lesson: Social influence on spending
Explanation: The narrative addresses how peer pressure can lead to unnecessary purchases.
Real-World Application: Children learn to make independent choices and resist peer pressure, promoting self-confidence and thoughtful decision-making.