Need It or Want It?
Needs and wants are different. Kids can learn the difference from you.
What’s the difference between buying something you want and buying something you really need? Young children may not know yet. It’s helpful to point out the difference between needs and wants when making choices.
- Explain the things that people need. (“All of us need nutritious food, water, shelter, and clothing. These are things that help our bodies learn and grow, or that keep us healthy and safe.”)
- Then explain the things that people want. (“Sometimes we want to buy an extra thing, like a new toy, but those extras are not as important as the things we need. It’s OK if we have to wait to get them, or choose not to get them at all.”)
Money Talk
Learn how you can answer kids’ questions about money.
V Is for Value
Value can mean many different things! Talk to your child about all of them.
Making Choices
Look for ways to teach your child about making choices.
Guest Post: Helping your child’s money skills grow
Parents and caregivers can be a powerful influence on their children’s financial future—and you don’t have to be a money expert to start them out strong.
Building Financial Skills in the Classroom
These classroom activities emphasize the key financial concepts of choices, value, and financial literacy skills: spending, saving, and sharing.
Saving, Spending, Sharing
Help kids learn the value of money when they spend, share, and save.