Teaching Children to Live in a Complex Economic World
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Teaching Economics, Teaching Children to Live
Most teachers know very little about economics and so it is almost never referred to in when they teach children in the lower grades. This worries me as the real world we live in is driven by the big economic engine and all we train are consumers rather than wealth creators who have to figure it out on their own. Well, I learned that this is not totally true. Some schools and some teachers seem to share my view.
Last summer I was reading The Economist on our deck and our younger granddaughter (11) tucked in next to me. Noticing what I was reading, she started to make her own commentary on the state of the economy and asked some good questions on investing. That surprised me and got me thinking.
The same week, we were driving with Grandma and Aunt in front, chatting about schools and old big ears (the same grand daughter) chirped in to explain how her class was learning persuasion and marketing. This just totally floored me. My rant against schools needs rethinking.
Know how to teach children Economics
Some help for you
Children are given the challenge of crafting a cereal
And persuade their class to buy this
In this school where Big Ears granddaughter goes, they were grouped and given the challenge of crafting a cereal from scratch and market this to their class. She talked about the product and what they put into it, considering what is healthy.
They designed a package to be attractive to consumers. She talked about the impact of different colors and how to persuade people to buy their product. She bubbled on and it was clear the class was really involved.
Looking for guides on teaching economics to your kids?
Take a look at these books
Engaging children in everyday economics
Applied methodology that taught them other knowledge and skills
A tip of the hat to that teacher who went out of her way to engage her class in this exercise and used it as a platform for a bit of psychology, sociology, diet management and health. It had the kids organizing presentations and learning skills of argument to convince others.
It began an awareness of guerrilla marketing as a new defence against being exploited by the market. It was applied and useful and it convinced me that we both can and should start doing much more to help get kids ready for the real world.
Another guide you can use
To start your kids on economics
At what age should we start teaching children economics?
What is the age of readiness?
Questions to ask about economics
Use the world we live in as your curriculum for economics basics
What are cash cards? Credit cards? What is the price you pay when you use them? What is "shopping" and how does it become an escape?
How do we manage money, invest money, have fun with money? What is a Bank and how does it make money? A mortgage? Savings? Charity and reaching out with money?
All of these can be taught and the personal economic nightmare all around us shows what a bad job we have done. We don't teach these things in math and language and civics and history. We can use the world we live in as the teaching method like old big ears' teacher and the breakfast cereal.
Watch this video on teaching children economics
Teaching kids about money
Links on teaching children money management
How to make your kids good money managers
- How To Make Your Kids Good Money Managers
- Understanding finance or even basic money management is not on the curriculum in high school. So%u2026it is up to you. Make money management a part of your kids' lives when they are young and they will make much better decisions as they grow up.
- Kids & Money
- Frugal living strategies to get the most out of your money and help with family finances. Coupons, budgeting, family finances, saving money, bargain shopping, savings.
- Kids Money | Teaching kids the value of money | e-books, money boxes, guides and seminars
- |Dedicated to improving the financial education of Australian children and their parents. Teaches basic money skills.
- Teaching Kids About Money | Teaching Children About Money
- The Ultimate Resource in Teaching Kids About Money to Guarantee your Child's Financial Future. Visit our Website Today!
- Teaching Kids About Money
- Young children need to learn many things to be able to function successfully within our society. Being exposed to money and learning it's role within our society is certainly one of them. Credit Unions do their fair share of that educating. USAcreditunions.com.
- MetroNews--What Kids Should Know About Money
- This web page contains an article about what children should know about money.
- Kids and Money: Teaching your Child about Money Management
- MONEY TEACHING AND LEARNING MONEY SKILLS LESSON PLAN WORKSHEETS
Learn all about money for kids. - Kids and Money
- Should You Pay Kids to Shovel Snow?Whether (and how much) you compensate neighborhood kids for their help depends on the circumstances.January 31, 2011Topics:Kids & Money
Why I Don't Like Prepaid Cards for KidsThe Kardashian Kard aimed at teens w - Gimme-proof your kids to get them on a cycle of success -- KidsandMoney.com
- Kids and Money author Jayne Pearl provides tips and articles on allowance, saving, investing, budgets, spending, credit cards and college.
Teach them about money
And money management
Let's take a peek at some interesting lenses on teaching children
Teaching children business and finance
What others say on teaching children and finance
Teaching children finance is key to society
- Financial Literacy for Kids: Teach Them to Build a Business
- Your own business or own financial background is the best framework for your children to develop entrepreneurial skills and a solid understanding of handling money. Why would you ever want to teach your kids how to have their own business?
- How to help your kids be smarter about money
- The key to teaching kids to save money is simple ? and it's all about you. How can you get your kids to start saving their money and quit wasting it on the latest smartphone apps and throwaway fashion? New research shows that it's simple: talk to your ...
- A naked grab for money?
- That's why children are typically encouraged to participate. "Kids are natural nudists, number one," said Nicky Hoffman, publisher of the Naturist Society magazine, Nude & Natural. She criticized society for teaching "kids to be ashamed of their bodies ...
More references on teaching finance to children
Read on how you can teach your own children
What about business?
Can you teach them about business?
The angels who blessed this lens
Thank you for the blessing
What about investment?
Another economics lesson to teach children
Share with us what you think on teaching children finance
Or just leave your message
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---Chazz
May 15, 2012 @ 12:44 pm | delete
- This is the best advice and resources I've come across on this topic. Great job. Blessed and featured on my "Still Wing-ing it on Squidoo" lens.
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creativeinc
Oct 28, 2011 @ 5:00 am | delete
- I think teaching them too early in a fun way is fine but they should enjoy their childhood, which for me means no cares in the world- play and have fun!
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Sylvestermouse
Jul 13, 2011 @ 10:29 am | delete
- It has been my experience that most people do not understand economics. I am amazed at how even the basic budget seems to "challenge" some. I am a huge advocate of teaching young, even preschool, solely because younger children are just little sponges and they love games. We took our children to the bank to open their own savings accounts before they started to school. They have continued to save and make choices about what they need, or want, vs. the cost. Like so many things, it is our responsibility to teach our children. We can not leave our children's education solely in the hands of teachers and schools. Some, like your granddaughter, will be exposed to these lessons in school. Most will not.
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kiwinana71
Jul 3, 2011 @ 9:04 pm | delete
- It is never to early to teach your children, they come into this world innocent, it is the way we guide them in the early years that will help them get through life in later years.
Thanks for a very interesting lens.
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Donnette
Jul 2, 2011 @ 11:49 am | delete
- Very useful lens with really wonderful information. Thank you for sharing.
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Hi there. I see a bit of goodness in everything. I see world events in the context of the great things that happen, not the niggly faults that hound us... more »
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A book to read on teaching children finance
Read and learn
Silver Spoon Kids : How Successful Parents Raise Responsible Children
Amazon Price: $5.32 (as of 05/31/2012)
This is full of useful tips and advise on how you can raise kids who understand the economics of life.
