The subject of group economics can be quit daunting for most people to grasp let alone it’s practical application, so why would I create a book teaching group economics for children?
Although most people in the African and Caribbean community would agree that group economics is a good idea, we tend to have difficulties when it comes to the application. I think the harsh treatment and the “Jim Crow” indoctrination of African people during the “transatlantic slave trade” has had a deep-seated negative effect on African and Caribbean people today. One of the negative concepts which was instilled, was to not trust each other as well of self-hate. This kind of thinking can make it almost impossible for any group or community to come together and practice group economics.
Growing up in the 70s my mother had a Caribbean grocery shop on Tottenham high street in North London. She would always tell us how our own people would scorn her for being “too teef” for not being as cheap as the supermarkets that started popping up in our communities. If only they knew that smaller businesses didn’t have the buying power to compete with the big corporations.
Black Excellence
When it comes to our children, they are more likely not to carry the negative thinking of the past. More African and Caribbean children are being raised with a higher self-esteem and a healthier love of self and kind.
Being a father of six and having worked with children in schools around the country, I find that children can often fully understand and apply concepts if it presented in a simple and fun way. It’s so refreshing to speak with young people as they tend to understand the fundamentals of group economics and entrepreneurism without any problems.
My Baobab Learning
The reason I created My Baobab Learning was to educate and empower disfranchised children and young people through books, educational resources online programs and workshops. I think if there is to be any significant change in the black diaspora it will come from our youth. If we could teach our children from a young age the concepts of group economics and business now, they would go onto securing a better and more prosperous future for themselves.
The name “My Baobab Learning” is derived from the quote “From small seeds grow mighty trees”. The mighty African baobab tree starts life as a small seed as do our children that soon grows to greatness if nurtured.
The idea is not to give children long lectures on the world of business and economic, but just to teach them the fundamentals. Planting a small seed or idea that can grow with practical application and their natural creativity.
Round & Round
My first book was called “Round and Round: An introduction to Group Economics for children”. Round and Round was a simple rhyming book about a community of young business owners that all supported and bought goods and services from each other. Within the book, I shared concepts of buying wholesale, banking, creating marketing materials to attract more customers and much more. I suggested that they too could possibly own a bank, run a wholesaler, have a farm or design company. The book is called “Round & Round” because of the money that circulates round in the community when they practice group economics. Ade the bank owner buys a cup of lemonade from Zhane and the money goes all the way round until it finally came back to him.
Representation is very important to me when creating publications and learning resources. Our children have to see themselves in greatness to be great. I also consciously made the book as simple as possible which was very well received by the children, parents, carers and teachers.
Activity book
Having shared the concepts of group economics and entrepreneurism, I wanted to continue the conversation by going a little deeper into the topics mentioned in the story book. This was created in the form of an activity book where children can get hands on and have fun while they learn.
My wife Leah does most of the home-schooling so helped me understand what would best help home-school parents and teachers during lesson time. The activity book was styled in the same way as a very popular revision and activity book used throughout the country so parents and teachers would feel comfortable using it as a helpful learning resource. I very much look forward to the feedback from the children, parents, carers and teachers so we can make the “Round & Round Activity Book Two” even better.
The book is aimed at primary school children aged 5 to 12 and increases in difficulty as they progress through the book.
Here are some of the topics covered in the “Round & Round Activity Book One”:
- What Is Group Economics?
- How Can Group Economics Help Our Community?
- How Do You Practice Group Economics
- My First Businesses
- Business Ideas
- Building A Team
- Your Passion and Skills
- Company Logo and Brand
- Marketing and Promotion
- Cost and Profit
- Stock Control
For more information and to pre-order:
Many thanks,
Jeremy, Author, Illustrator, designers and educator
Blog also featured on the Enfield Caribbean Association website:
https://www.enfieldcaribbeanassoc.org.uk/blogs/group-economics-for-children/
