Consumption in the children's room

Reading Time: Minutes

Creative ability and teamwork | from 10 years | 180 minutes

What does a child need to be happy?

The desire for consumer goods is already evident in childhood; many children grow up with an abundance of toys. In this project idea, children reflect on their own consumer behavior using suitable case studies. They test possibilities to produce toys by upcycling objects that are no longer used.

Based on a questionnaire, the children reflect on their own consumption habits. They look at the fate of children from developing countries who build toys out of garbage. The children themselves try out different ways of making toys from things that are no longer used. The goal is to sensitize the children to a more conscious use of consumer goods.

The goal of this project, "Consumption in the Children's Room - What Does a Child Need to Be Happy?" is for children to rethink their own consumer behavior and become more aware of sustainable consumption. By researching the fate of children in developing countries and their limited opportunities to own toys, the children should learn that less can often be more.

The children

filter out the essential information from texts and grasp it.

present individual facts in an understandable way.

analyze characteristics of child poverty.

The children

actively use digital media to obtain information.

create self-made products and sell them for a donation.

make videos using digital media.

The children

are empathetic and put themselves in the shoes of other children suffering from poverty.

get involved with children in need.

The children

reflect on their own consumer behavior.

reflect for themselves whether it is necessary to always have the latest and newest toys.

realize that unused objects or broken toys can be recycled by upcycling.

recognize that their consumer behavior must also meet moral and social standards.

Project course

Starting with a questionnaire based on the children's own experiences, consumption habits and wishes, they gain insight into the realities of life for children from developing countries who are affected by poverty: Out of their need, the children build their own toys - out of things that are no longer usable or garbage they have gathered together. Based on these insights, the children themselves try out ways to make children's toys by upcycling objects that are no longer used. The finished products are exhibited and sold, with the proceeds donated to a children's charity. Finally, a reflection phase follows to determine the extent to which the project has led to a rethinking of one's own and future consumer behavior.

The children are given a questionnaire to fill out. The project leader can create this himself and include specific questions. Possible components of the questionnaire could be:

- When I see a great toy in an advertisement, I absolutely have to have it.
- I always want to get the newest toy.
- I especially like toys that go with my favorite books, series, or movies.
- I always want to own the toys that others have.
- I only own toys that I really play with.
- I have given toys away before that I no longer use.
- I imagine there are kids in the world who have less to play with than I do.
- I don't throw away broken toys, I fix them.

By completing the questionnaire, the children reflect on their own experiences and attitudes about the topic. Afterwards, the results of the survey are visualized and discussed through a chart.

Securing results: questionnaire/chart
Social form: individual work/plenary

The children work in groups on the living conditions of children from developing countries (see link list). In text form, they are shown that not all children grow up with an abundance of consumer goods, but build their toys out of garbage. The children empathize with the situation and write a diary entry that illustrates the living conditions and wishes of poorer children. In addition, they research further information on the countries of origin (see link list). The texts are discussed in plenary.

Securing results: presentation, diary entry
Social form: group work, plenary

The children try out for themselves how creative toys can be made from unused or needed objects. Since large amounts of packaging waste are produced every day, it makes sense to use such materials, e.g., cans, bottles, tetrapacks, cardboard rolls, or crown caps. Instructions are either provided (see link list) or the children can research them themselves (e.g. on Pinterest). The products created will be presented and sold at an opening. The proceeds can be donated to a children's charity.

Securing results: Vernissage
Social form: individual work/group work

In a final reflection phase, it is discussed whether and to what extent the project has led to a change in the children's attitude towards their own consumer behavior.

Possible components can be:
- I will continue to want just as many new toys as before.
- I want to think more consciously about what I want.
- Things I no longer play with, I will pass on.
- Broken toys I will try to fix.
- It is important that we help children in need.

Results: Chart
Social form: individual work/plenary

Project summary

In order to make a sustainable contribution and also give this project an appealing character, the children record video messages in which they make a statement about their responsibility regarding sustainable consumption and/or child poverty. These videos can also be presented at the opening.

The project is not only intended to make the children aware of their own consumption behavior, but also to encourage them to think about it. In addition to training empathy and understanding of others through insights into the lives of children from developing countries, a more conscious approach to consumer goods is encouraged. Furthermore, the children learn that it is not self-evident to have an abundance of things or to immediately throw away objects that are no longer usable or broken.

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