Sharing and Giving Gifts - A Newsletter for Parents of First Grade Children

Certainly as parents you want to teach your children good money management. First grade children are just beginning to learn some of the basic skills needed for their lifetime.

However, at this point, it's important to spend some time thinking about money—what it can and can't do for you, your child, and others.

It's easy for a child to get caught up in the idea of making, spending, and saving money—for himself or herself. As parents you may want your child to be able to share what he or she has with others.

Sharing and Giving to Others

Sharing is a concept that is not always easy for a child to grasp. Your child will learn a lot about giving by watching others.

Here are some ways people share and give of themselves. Some cost money and some do not. Talk to your child about these when he or she sees them occurring. Try to answer any questions that may come up about why people do these things.

• Donating used clothing to the Salvation Army, local clothing drive, community clothing center, etc.
• Giving money to a charity or religious organization.
• Donating blood at the local blood drive.
• Taking food to a family when someone is sick or hurt.
• Contributing food to a food bank or pantry.
• Volunteering time to read books for story hour at the library.
• Visiting people at the nursing home.
• Helping family members with chores.
• Watering plants for the neighbors while they're on vacation.

Deciding Where the Money Will Go

Cut out these labels for your child to attach to three small containers. Place the jars in the child's room where he or she can get to them easily. Talk with the child about deciding how the money will be divided among the three jars. Having the three jars is a visible reminder of the importance of spending, saving, and giving when it comes to money management.

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

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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.