Economics: needs, wants, and using money (kindergarten) · lesson

Needs and wants

Food, water, a home, and a toy

💡 Needs are things we must have, and wants are nice to have.

A need is a thing you must have to live. Food, water, and a home are needs.

A want is a thing that is nice to have. Toys and treats are wants.

Wanting a thing a lot does not make it a need. Ice cream is still a want.

🧠 How to think about it

Ask: could I live and be safe with no toy? Yes. So a toy is a want. Could I live with no food? No. So food is a need.

🏡 Try it at home

Sort some things in your home into two piles: needs and wants. Talk about each one.

penny
1¢penny
1¢penny
1¢

💡 People use money to buy things, pay for work, and save.

People use money to buy things, like food at the store.

Money can pay for work too. Dad pays the barber. He gets a haircut.

When you pay, the money goes. If you save a penny each day, your pennies grow.

🧠 How to think about it

Count what you have. Take away what you pay. 5 pennies, pay 3, and 2 are left.

🏡 Try it at home

Play store with a few pennies and some toys. Put a price on each toy. Buy one and count what is left.

Pick one snack

💡 When we pick one thing, we give up the other.

Most times, you can't have it all. You must pick.

A good pick helps you. An apple helps your body grow.

Spend it all now, and you have none left for later. If you need one more penny, you can save.

🧠 How to think about it

Ask: what do I get? What do I give up? Spend it all on candy, and you have none for a toy.

🏡 Try it at home

At snack time, give two snack picks. Talk about which one helps your body most.

Kids share books

💡 We can share, take turns, or borrow instead of buying.

If a friend has a toy you want, ask to share. You can take turns.

A library lends books for free. You read the book, then bring it back.

Sharing saves money. It is kind too.

🧠 How to think about it

Before you buy, ask: can I share it or borrow it? If yes, you can keep your money.

🏡 Try it at home

Visit a library or a friend's book shelf. Borrow one book. Bring it back when you are done.