#Japan #Tokyo #Empowerment #Decision Making #Kids' Flea Market

Focus on Children's Buying Experience

As the Christmas season approaches, the 'Kids' Flea Market'—organized by the non-profit Kids' Flea Market in Nakano, Tokyo—serves as a remarkable platform for children to engage in buying activities. Here, children observe and reflect on their reasons for purchasing, enhancing their decision-making and planning skills. We believe that the buying experience is critical in developing these competencies, just as much as selling does.

Why Is 'Choosing Power' Needed Now?

Recent voices from schools and childcare settings express concerns that children are struggling to cultivate decision-making and planning abilities. In everyday life, adults often make choices for children regarding what to do and in what order, limiting their opportunities to navigate, contemplate, and decide independently.

Moreover, with the rapid proliferation of generative AI technologies like ChatGPT and Gemini providing ready-made answers and options for queries, the emphasis on making informed selections based on personal values has resurfaced as a pressing need.

In response to these societal changes, we assert that children require opportunities to make choices, where they accept the outcomes as part of their learning journey.

1. Skills Developed in Buying Scenarios

At the Kids' Flea Market, children enter a designated area where they are free to decide what to buy with their own money, empowering them to engage in a learning process filled with insights:

• - Comparing desired items against their budget to prioritize their choices.
• - Reflecting on whether they truly need an item and opting not to purchase when necessary.
• - Managing their funds responsibly, leading to satisfying choices.

This 'choosing process' is arguably the most genuine moment for children to exercise their judgment autonomously.

2. The Christmas Season Boosts Children's Choosing Power

December naturally brings an increase in children's desires for various items. During this period, we observe a tendency towards higher quality decision-making as children:

• - Narrow down their wishlist to several items.
• - Contemplate their reasons for postponing purchases.
• - Value their choices to avoid regret.

We perceive this as a unique seasonal learning opportunity to nurture decision-making skills.

3. The Power of an Adult-Free Environment

In this child-only space where adults are not permitted to intervene, children:

• - Assume responsibility for their judgments.
• - Learn to cope with failures and successes alike.
• - Build their confidence through successful experiences.

These moments contribute to the development of their non-cognitive skills, further enriching their personal growth.

Future Plans

The Kids' Flea Market’s website will periodically announce events scheduled for January 2026 and beyond. For detailed information, we invite you to visit our official site.

Upcoming Event Dates

Additionally, in late January 2026, we plan to release findings from a survey regarding the use and management of New Year’s money, examining parental differences in financial perspectives.

Contact Us

NPO Kids' Flea Market
Address: 4-3-9 Yayoi-cho, Nakano, Tokyo 164-0013
Phone: 03-3384-0675 (Weekdays 12:00 - 15:00)
Email: [email protected]
Website: Kids' Flea Market