Characters inspired by Pixar’s Inside Out films will be used to help P1-3s work on their entrepreneurial skills.
The cartoon books from the University of Strathclyde, which have been awarded a Scottish government grant, are based on five key skills seen as essential to an entrepreneurial mindset: resilience, empathy, creativity, collaboration and optimism.
The characters, known collectively as “The RECCO Crew”, will embody each skill, echoing the approach of 2015’s Inside Out, which turned complex and abstract notions from the psychologist Robert Plutchik’s theory of emotions into easily accessible anthropomorphised animations.
A professional children’s book illustrator is working with academics at the University of Strathclyde, who have been awarded an £80,994 grant by the Scottish government to create the books and linked activity packs for P1-3 pupils.
Entrepreneurship in early education
Project lead Dr Suzanne Mawson, a reader in entrepreneurship at the university’s Hunter Centre for Entrepreneurship, said: “Entrepreneurial attitudes and mindset interventions are most effective when they are introduced early in the formative years of young people.
“New research shows that the best time to intervene in the development of a mindset is not among older age groups, but from around five to seven years old. Non-cognitive skills linked to mindset are set at this developmental stage, and this is when educational interventions are at their most effective.”
Dr Lucrezia Casulli, senior lecturer in entrepreneurship at the Hunter Centre, said: “We hope to see children in this age group develop an awareness of the agency they have in making the world a better place if they play to their strengths, but also collaborate with others on things that are not their forte.”
She added: “The RECCO Crew characters are personable and relatable. They are not superheroes and they are not out of reach, yet together they can do great things by drawing on each other’s strengths.”
The research team also includes Professor Sarah Dodd.
The project builds on previous work to cultivate entrepreneurial mindset skills among university students as part of the Strathclyde Inspire “entrepreneurship for all approach”, as well as a new textbook Entrepreneurial Thinking - Mindset in Action.
Resilience, creativity and empathy ‘key’ for entrepreneurs
Total funding of £829,346 was awarded to seven projects through the Scottish Government Entrepreneurial Education Pathways Competitive Fund, with Strathclyde the only university awarded a grant.
Deputy first minister Kate Forbes, commenting on the award for the RECCO Crew project, said: “It is never too early to equip our young people with the mindset and skills that will prepare them for the path ahead.
“Resilience, creativity, empathy are not just key attributes in the entrepreneurial mindset but also valuable lessons that will stand them in good stead for the future.”
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