Ages 3 - 5

This is an age when your child is open to the wonders of the world. He has an innate sense of creativity and loves exploring his environment. Activities that involve touching and drawing are excellent ways to get him involved in the learning process. Remember that observation and repetition are the two key ways that children learn at this age. Learning about money can be fun!

• Show him pictures of different types of coins and bills. Help him count out 5 pennies and show him how it equals one nickel. Do the same with dimes, quarters and dollars.
• Together, you can draw different coins by tracing the outlines and rubbing a pencil over a sheet of paper on top of the coin. You can look closely at various bills and all the graphic elements that are part of it.
• Start letting your child hold money and keep it in his pocket. Later he can use their money to buy something from a vending machine.
• You can set up a play store with a toy cash register and a counter full of items to sell that you took from your child's toys. Help him write the prices of the items on a piece of masking tape and place on the toy. A garage sale is an excellent way to get a child involved in the process of selling. Your child can help write prices on items he wants to sell and then help you process the sale.
• Give him an allowance each week for extra activities you had him do, such as helping dry the dishes, clean out the car, or help walk the dog.
• Show him how much things he uses or wants cost when out shopping. Have him pick a small toy out at the store with his first 2 weeks of allowance and count out the money to pay for it.
• Set up a piggy-bank shelf with 4 clear jars each labeled with the purpose of the money in that jar. You could name them: Today, Tomorrow, Future, Charity or you could ask your child about items they want and then according to price relabel them: Candy, doll, bicycle, charity.

It is never too early to start teaching children about charity and giving 10% of their money to worthy causes. It will help them to appreciate more the things they do have since so many people live without any of those. It will help them be more appreciative of the things they do have. You will be surprised at some of the responses you get from very young children (even though they seem so selfish at this age) when you ask them to help others in need. In addition to the jar for your charity, you might also ask your child to donate his toys to a charity such as Toys for Tots. You should explain to him why charities are important and how they benefit society.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:

On The Money - In this lesson, students will explore what money is and how it differs around the world.

Page 5 of 10: Developing a Plan

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