Sophie Conlon
The Limestone Coast home schooling community came together to run their first ever Enterprise Market on Friday, February 24.
Organisers Roxanne Pittard and Kris Lanyon said it was a great success.
Ms Lanyon said it was an educational activity where the children learned about developing, making and selling items, and got real world experience in money handling.
“It’s an educational experience for them to learn about making a product and developing a business,” she said.
Even though the day was a hot one, Ms Pittard said the market was well attended.
“The kids are having so much fun and it’s been really nice to see everyone coming and going and enjoying the day,” she said.
Battling the 38 degree heat, the children set up their stalls and were selling homemade baked goods, earrings, crochet, glitter tattoos and plants, among other things.
“We’ve got candles, pet rocks, juggling balls, wooden toy swords and magical wands, so lots on offer,” Ms Pittard said.
“Every family has done an individual stall, so it’s all been at home with their kids to come together today.”
She said planning for the day had been underway since October and they were looking forward to hosting more events like this one.
Ms Pittard said she had learned something new herself in sewing with her children, making scrunchies to sell at the market.
She said getting ready for the market was not necessarily a lesson, but children were able to learn as they went.
“With home education, there is quite a lot of natural, organic learning that occurs through everyday lifestyle,” she said.
Ms Pittard said the local home schooling community had grown a lot recently and so the market was a good opportunity for them to get together in the community.
With about 100 local families choosing to home school their children in the region, Ms Pittard said the community often got together to go on excursions and share experiences.
