Before money developed, people used to trade items to get what they needed.
Teach your children about money using our handy topic guide!
Teaching Ideas
- Start a discussion about money using this financial education lesson plan for older primary children.
- This sheet is useful for converting pence into pounds.
- These pounds and pence word problems are challenging for older children.
- Take the children to a local shop or supermarket and send them off with a shipping list. How much will they spend?
- Set children some real-life scenarios where change is given – this PowerPoint is useful for younger children.
- Create a real-life scenario to use money skills; can the children plan and price a meal, a party or a day out?
Resources
- Download our huge Money Pack for a guide and resources for teaching about money – includes resources for GB Pounds, US Dollars, CA Dollars, Euros, AU Dollars and NZ Dollars!
- Our Money Vocabulary cards can be used on a display or as discussion starters (GB Pounds).
- Use our Money Banners on your display boards (USA, UK, AUS & Euros).
- Print our UK Money poster for your children to refer to.
- Have a look at the Bank of England’s money resources for schools.
Money Facts
- Before notes and coins were invented, valuable natural resources were used as money. Some of the items used included; cowrie shells, salt, cacao beans and dolphin teeth.
- The Bank of England holds a banknote worth £100,000,000, known as a Titan.
- The first known paper currency was issued in China during the Song Dynasty (960-1279 BCE)
- The place where money is manufactured is called a mint.
- Banknotes often have pictures of important people on them. For example, the $1 note has a picture of US President George Washington.
Videos
Money Song for Children UK
This song is great for teaching coin recognition for small UK coins.
Running time: 1:52
Get Your Money Right Song – Learn About Money
A fun Go Noodle song about US coins.
Running time: 3:01
Solving problems with money
How long will it take Abi to save £300 for a new guitar?
Running time: 4:22
Maths – Calculating change KS2
This video lesson covers calculating change using a number line.
Running time: 11:27
Books
Millions
Damian and Anthony find themselves with a huge bag of cash, but what will they do with it?
Daisy and the Trouble with Piggy Banks
Daisy hatches a money-making plan. What could go wrong?
Billionaire Boy
Joe’s got a billion pounds, but not a single friend.
Money for Beginners
This information book covers all aspects of money and how it works.
Money Maths Made Easy
This workbook is useful for learning about money calculation.
The Children's Book of Money Sense
Help children gain money management skills with this bright and informative book.
Links
- Try this Toy Shop Money Game from Topmarks. (GB Pounds, US Dollars, AUS Dollars and Euros)
- Play the Change Game and make sure you get the right change. (GB Pounds and Euros)
- Visit the Nat West Money Sense site for games and information (GB pounds)
- This Barclays Bank page teaches children about budgeting. (GB pounds)
Are you teaching your children about other topics? Explore our full collection of guides!
