SUHAR: Children in Al Batinah North are learning that being a smart shopper begins at an early age, thanks to an interactive summer initiative by the General-Directorate of Consumer Protection that is equipping young minds with practical consumer awareness and financial literacy skills.
Designed to make learning both engaging and memorable, the programme introduced children to the fundamentals of responsible consumption through hands-on activities that mirrored real-life shopping experiences. Rather than relying on classroom instruction alone, the initiative encouraged participants to make informed purchasing decisions while developing critical thinking skills.
A key attraction was 'The Little World of Creativity,' a simulated grocery store where children assumed the role of shoppers. The interactive setting enabled them to identify genuine products, distinguish counterfeit goods, check expiry dates, compare product quality and prices, and better understand their rights and responsibilities as consumers.
The programme also featured an awareness exhibition highlighting essential consumer protection concepts, unsafe and prohibited products, and safe purchasing practices. An accompanying art corner allowed children to express what they had learned through drawings and creative activities, reinforcing key messages in an enjoyable and interactive environment.
Naeema al Jahwari from the General-Directorate of Consumer Protection in Al Batinah North said the initiative reflects the Directorate's commitment to building consumer awareness from an early age through practical, experience-based learning.
She explained that children grasp concepts more effectively when they actively participate in situations that resemble everyday life. By encouraging them to compare products, make purchasing decisions, and recognise potential risks on their own, the programme nurtures sound judgement and responsible consumer behaviour that can benefit them well into adulthood.
Al Jahwari noted that consumer education has become an essential life skill in today's rapidly evolving marketplace. Equipping young people with the knowledge to make informed choices not only safeguards their rights as consumers but also helps cultivate a generation that values quality, safety and responsible spending.
She added that initiatives of this nature support broader national efforts to enhance public awareness and prepare future consumers to navigate increasingly diverse markets with confidence. Developing these habits early, she said, lays the foundation for wiser purchasing decisions while strengthening community understanding of consumer rights and responsibilities.
The initiative highlights the growing importance of experiential learning, demonstrating that lessons gained through participation often leave a deeper and more lasting impression than conventional classroom teaching.
By transforming shopping into an educational adventure, the programme has given children practical skills that they can apply every time they accompany their families on a shopping trip.
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