Developing the “Mercari Hands-On” Educational Program

Learning the Value of Items and Money Hands-On with Mercari

This educational program uses Mercari to teach elementary school students the value of their possessions and money.

Using the Mercari app and “Mercari Observation Notebook,” students simulate the Mercari listing process together with their parents, taking time to consider how much their possessions are worth from various perspectives. In this way, they are able to learn the value of money, such as how it can be used to generate profit. The “Mercari Observation Notebook” is a workbook where students list up each of their possessions, imagining what the value of each would be if they actually listed things they no longer need on Mercari.

Through the program, students also learn that there are options beyond throwing items out, and they develop a newfound appreciation for their possessions. We hope this program will provide an opportunity for students to think about what their world would be like with a circular economy which truly values its limited natural resources.

While the program is recommended for children in the third or fourth year of elementary schooling, children between first and sixth grade may take it.

- Teaches children the value of their possessions and to take care of their belongings
- Imbues children with a sense of how much things should cost and teaches them the mechanisms behind buying and selling
- Encourages children to try new things
- Enables parents and children alike to enjoy Mercari