Children learn some of life's tough lessons through a pantomime on money

Many young Thais are becoming spendthrifts. Without properly understanding the value of money, our future generation may spend millions on video games, toys or collector items before start earning a living.

To deliver some lessons on thriftiness, a group of third- and fourth-year drama students from Thammasat University's Fine Arts Faculty recently staged a play called "When I Have Money" for Prathom 5 students at Rajavinit Prathom School. The show was part of a project called "Grow Your Mind", in cooperation with the Tris Rating Company.

"Prathom 5 is quite a good age to teach kids about the value of money. They are not too young to understand and not too old to teach new habits," says 20-year-old Tita Kanittanon.

"When I Have Money", delivered in pantomime and music, featured a collection of real-life situations in which children could earn, save or spend money.

Chidduen Pruekpongsawalee, 22, says miming was more effective because it held the children's attention right to the end.

"Silent acting encourages them to think by themselves, it's better than preaching to them through spoken dialogue," she says.

For instance, in the scene where a young character had to choose between spending on a musical instrument or a motorcycle, children learn about choices.

"We show them two situations," says Thanpisith Iamsa-ard, 21.

In the first situation, the character buys a guitar and earns money by performing in a band, while in the second, the youngster buys a motorcycle, goes racing and has an accident.

"We don't tell them exactly to do. It's up to them to decide if they should buy a guitar or a motorcycle."