Unleashing the Entrepreneurial Spirit: Nurturing Elementary Students' Potential for Innovation, Creativity, and Fearless Exploration

Abstract

This paper advocates for the teaching of entrepreneurship to elementary students, specifically those from 98 percent minority, low socio-economic (Title I schools in the US) by recognizing and harnessing their inherent entrepreneurial spirit. The prevailing notion that entrepreneurship is exclusively reserved for adults disregards the natural inclination of young learners to explore, create, innovate, and fearlessly try new things. By fostering an environment that encourages curiosity, creativity, and problem-solving, educators can tap into the entrepreneurial potential of elementary students. This philosophical position emphasizes the importance of instilling an entrepreneurial mindset in students, promoting a growth mindset, integrating real-world connections, and empowering students to take ownership of their learning. Through age-appropriate activities and authentic experiences, students develop essential entrepreneurial skills and qualities such as critical thinking, adaptability, resilience, and a sense of agency. By embracing this perspective, educators can cultivate a generation of entrepreneurial thinkers and doers who are equipped with the skills, mindset, and creativity necessary for future success in the 21st century.

Imagine the following scenario of events that took place in the Rawlings Elementary approach utilized in this paper. A collaboration with the Haitian Center for Inclusive Education founded by Gertrude Bien Aime, in which Rawlings students shared local neighborhood riffs and rhythms they bring into the school each day with neighborhood music of the children in Port au Prince.  The 40 students with special needs at the Haiti inclusion school are raised by Gertrude at the Notre Maison Orphanage where she maintains their care and safety regardless of outside conditions. When the Rawlings students met the students and Gertrude the female students in the class requested repeated conversations with Gertrude as a role model but also because of her entrepreneurial ability to face the challenges of gangs, food shortages, and variety of needs the students with disabilities she rescued and raises they engage with. The first comment from my students when the Zoom session ended was “Fundraiser!”. Disregarding their own daily socio economic, educational and potential safety needs in their lives and focusing on the opportunity to assist others. One student had suggesting recording their original music arrangements of their neighborhood music on Spotify.  By incorporating authentic experiences, such as connecting with local entrepreneurs, engaging in community projects, and exploring entrepreneurship in various fields, students can grasp the practical applications of entrepreneurial skills. As a result of these shared experiences, the Society for Education, Music and Psychological Research (SEMPRE) with support from Dr. Graham Welch paid for Gertrude to fly to Florida to attend the Florida Council for Exceptional Children Conference to receive added training and entrepreneurial opportunities.  Bien Aime received the Florida Council for Exceptional Children’s Landis Stetler Award for service to the field of special education and will be hired and brought to the US this fall as a consultant for the Florida Atlantic University Center for Autism and Related Disabilities. The purpose of this consultancy will be to encourage the parents of children with special needs in the Haitian community there to overcome a perceived stigma in receiving services for their children at the center. The funding also will help her in her efforts to continue to support the students in Haiti. This Rawlings Elementary approach helps students understand how their ideas and actions can make a meaningful impact on their community and the world around them and through journaling, critique discussions and critical thinking on these activities they take steps to improve their reading and writing skills.