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School-age children to preteens

Between the ages of 6 and 12, you can help children absorb rules of thumb and day-to-day habits that shape how they earn, save, and shop.

Does your child have a habit of planning, saving, and sticking to goals and priorities?

At this age, money habits and values are money milestones that you can watch for, and help your child reach. 

See more about the skills, habits, and attitudes your child is working on from ages 6 to 12

Money ideas to talk about and try out with your child

Earning

Say: You can earn money through an allowance or by doing jobs for the family or others. 

Saving

Say: You can start a habit of putting money aside for things you want.

Planning

Say: You need to make choices about how to spend your money.

Shopping

Say: Try shopping around and comparing prices and features before you buy.

Borrowing

Say: Taking out a loan means you pay back what you borrow, plus more—because of charges called interest.

Protecting

Say: You need to keep important personal information private.

Money skills while you read together

Money as You Grow reading guide booklets

Money as You Grow Bookshelf is a reading program that helps you weave money skills into the time you already spend reading to your kids at home, in a way they’ll understand. Designed for ages 4 – 10.