Adventures of Entrepreneurial Jack (L1)

The Adventures of Entrepreneurial Jack (Level 1) is an early-stage educational program focused on financial and civic literacy for children in grades 1 to 3, roughly ages 6 to 9. Inspired by Janusz Korczak’s classic novella The Bankruptcy of Little Jack, it has been reimagined in a visually engaging comic format tailored to young learners. The program introduces basic economic concepts through storytelling, playful exercises, vivid illustrations, and interactive lessons that are developmentally appropriate. Its main goal is to build foundational financial awareness, promote responsible decision-making, and help children understand money in everyday contexts that resonate with their own experiences.

Key Activities and Student Experience

At the heart of the program is a series of short comic episodes followed by guided discussions and engaging activities. Children follow the adventures of Jack, a relatable main character who navigates familiar situations such as saving money, making everyday choices, helping around the house, or running a small play store with friends. Through these stories, they begin to understand where money comes from, the difference between spending and saving, the distinction between needs and wants, and the importance of budgeting — even with small amounts.

To reinforce these ideas, children take part in hands-on tasks like identifying essential and non-essential items, role-playing shop scenarios with tokens, solving simple arithmetic problems with coins, answering story-based questions, and joining movement-based games such as "Talarek." All activities are presented in a visual and tactile format suited to the cognitive abilities and attention spans of younger students.

Program Features and Pedagogical Principles

The program is grounded in the humanistic pedagogy of Korczak, emphasizing values such as respect, empathy, fairness, and responsibility. Rather than teaching abstract economic terminology, the focus is on building the behavioral foundations of economic thinking — honesty, sharing, delayed gratification, and collaboration. Learning is structured around play, storytelling, and emotional engagement with the characters, using concrete experiences rather than abstract definitions.

By incorporating comics, coloring pages, and reflective conversations about Jack’s decisions, the program helps children internalize key values and lessons without pressure or exposure to complex vocabulary. This method fosters a deeper connection between children and the material, encouraging intrinsic motivation and curiosity.

Methodology and Structure

Each session lasts approximately 30 to 45 minutes and follows a predictable, child-friendly sequence. Lessons typically begin with a warm-up activity such as a syllable game or brainstorming exercise, followed by guided reading or listening to a comic segment. This leads into a structured discussion supported by visual prompts, then transitions to an interactive play-based activity like coin sorting or role-playing, and concludes with group reflection and lesson consolidation.

The materials provided include comic excerpts, adaptable presentation slides, worksheets, physical activity guides, and clearly written teacher instructions. Lessons are designed to be flexible, allowing educators to use them either as standalone modules or as part of a continuous series. Importantly, no prior economic knowledge is required from the students.

Expected Outcomes and Developmental Value

By the end of the program, children are expected to recognize the role of money in everyday life and to understand simple economic relationships, such as earning and spending. They begin to make more responsible choices, appreciate the value of cooperation and planning, and develop early habits that support long-term financial well-being.

For educators, the program offers an accessible, high-impact toolkit for introducing economics in a way that is fun, engaging, and meaningful. It also encourages dialogue and critical thinking from an early age.

The Adventures of Entrepreneurial Jack for Grades 1–3 demonstrates that meaningful financial literacy and a sense of personal responsibility can be nurtured from the earliest stages of education — especially when complex ideas are made simple, visual, and emotionally resonant.