What Do You Think?
Emily went with her dad to run some errands. They stopped at the ATM to get some cash because Dad didn't have any money with him to buy the things they needed. While they were at the ATM, Emily says, "Daddy, I want a card so that I can get my own money from the Money Machine!" (See end of newsletter for a possible answer.) |
As a child growing up you probably heard the phrase, "money doesn't grow on trees" many times from your parents. And, maybe you've said it more than once to your child. So, the next question for a child is, "if money doesn't grow on trees, where does it come from?" That's a fair question and one that children need help with understanding and learning.
Getting Money
Let's start with thinking about where children get their money. Here are some ways:
- gifts from parents, grandparents, and other family members, friends, etc.
- allowances
- earnings from jobs
Children can get money from any or all of these ways. Of course, it won't likely be a large amount and it may come on a somewhat irregular basis.
But, having some money will give your child a chance to have money to handle. Likewise, if your child has a chance to earn some money he or she will begin to understand the concept of exchanging work for money.
Earning Money
Is a first grader too young to earn money? Of course not. It's important children know they can make a difference.
Remember, children develop at different rates. This means some first graders will be able to handle certain jobs easier than others.
Children also have different skills and interests. Find out what your child likes to do and encourage his or her special talents.
These are important ideas to keep in mind when you're helping your child think of ideas of things he or she can do to earn money.
Learning Together
Sit down with your child and try to figure out what he or she can do to earn some extra money. Go over this list and check the things the child thinks he or she could do alone or with a little help
Goods
These are things you might MAKE to sell for money.
_____ lemonade
_____ popcorn
_____ pictures
_____ jewelry
_____ cookies
_____ other (_______________)
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Services
These are things you might DO for money.
_____ feed the dog
_____ pull weeds
_____ pick up pop cans
_____ sweep the walk
_____ water the plants
_____ other (_______________
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Consider This
Dad says, "Emily, we don't get money from the machine unless we put money in the bank first. I get paid for working at the telephone company and when I get my paycheck I put it in the bank. Then I can take money out with this card."
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Prepared by Donna K. Donald, family life field specialist, and Vicki W. Sickels, former family support program associate, and edited by Laura Sternweis, communication specialist, Iowa State University Extension
....and justice for all The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, and marital or family status. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Many materials can be made available in alternative formats for ADA clients. To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 14th and Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call 202-720-5964. Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Stanley R. Johnson, director, Cooperative Extension Service, Iowa State University of Science and Technology, Ames, Iowa.
This newsletter is published for families with first grade children by Iowa State University Extension. For more information about parenting education, contact your local county extension office or access the Iowa State University Extension to Families website, www.extension.iastate.edu/families.
photo by:
Jayray24 
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