Online Games for Learning!
How parents can help their children make sense of money!
OPEN A SAVINGS ACCOUNT FOR YOUR CHILD
It’s never too early to start saving money for your child
PLAY TO LEARN
Give your children the opportunity to boost their math and money skills through play. Giving your children toys and games that help them understand the value of money is a great way to introduce the concept in their younger years. Here are fun activities to encourage financial learning.
*Play Money is a great way to teach kids how to identify coins and bills. It’s also a great way to teach kids the relational values of coin and cash (four quarters equals one dollar).
*Cash Register Toy
*Play board games that involve “money”. Some great options include:
– Monopoly
– Life
– The Allowance Game
– Money Bags Coin Value Game
*Have kids play online games. We’ve listed some below!
*Help them with a lemonade or cookie stand that encourages earning in a fun way!
BEGIN WITH AN ALLOWANCE
It’s important for children to understand the principle of earning. You can do this by tying their allowance to chores. The most important lesson you want to pass to your child is to associate their allowance with financial decisions and responsibilities.
*Decide on an allowance amount. We recommend that it be a small cash amount consistently paid weekly.
*Discuss costs and possible purchases with them. Let them make the final decision on how they’d like to spend their money.
*As they age, talk about avoiding impulse purchases. Help them understand that if they buy something on a whim that they don’t really need or want, they may have to miss out on something they do really want or need.
*Make sure the allowance can only cover one or two purchases a week. This will help them understand that they can’t purchase something every day.
*Be sure to stand firm if your child does not have enough money for a purchase. You can discuss the importance of saving for larger purchases or give your child the opportunity to work on extra chores to earn more.
*If your child has a spending goal, have them save it in a piggy bank or savings jar. This allows them to physically see their savings progress.
ENCOURAGE SAVINGS AND EXPLAIN THE BANKING BASICS
Discuss the importance of saving with your child. Bring your child with you when you visit the credit union. If you opened a savings account for them, encourage them to deposit part of their allowance in their account.
*Explain what a credit union or bank is.
*Bring your child inside the credit union to make deposits and withdrawals with you.
*Have your children exchange coins at the credit union.
*As your child gets older, explain why keeping their money in a savings account is not only a safer way to save, but they can also earn money on their money.
SET AN EXAMPLE
Children learn their money habits from their parents. They are always watching and could form their own money habits by the age of 7. Helping them build healthy financial habits early in their life can help them build their own strong financial future.