admin As a teacher, I have always been passionate about equipping children with valuable life skills that extend beyond the traditional academic curriculum. One area that I believe holds great importance is financial literacy. Understanding the value of money and developing healthy financial habits from a young age can set the stage for a lifetime of financial well-being. And what better way to teach children about money than through games? I will be sharing my journey of incorporating games into my classroom to impart essential money skills to my students.
The Quest for Money Games
It all began one morning when I find my students a bit challenging to teach because some of them were not paying attention in class. I wanted all of them to be involved in the lessons, activities, and discussions. While browsing for games online, I came across a website called Money Games and it immediately captivated my attention to use the games for my students.
The Cash Back
One of the first games I introduced to my class was the Cash Back game. With its colorful game scene and fun sound effects, it was an instant hit. The game is designed to teach children to be familiar with bills and coins. Moreover, children will be able to provide the exact change to its customers.
My students were able to learn how to count money and make change. Moreover, the games sparked discussions on the importance of learning to count your money through subtraction so you can provide the proper change to give to your customers.
Working as a Cashier
To nurture an entrepreneurial mindset, I introduced the game Cashier Simulator where my students are able to act like cashiers. It’s a bit complicated game but at the same time its fun because players in the game will not be only giving the exact change but they also need to input exact prices, collect payments and computing the total bill for every purchases. This game also introduced the concept of using credit cards while buying stuff.
Growing Money on Trees
My grade 6 students liked the Idle Money Tree game. They say it is a no-brainer game because you will just have to click all the money bags as they appear on the tree. While clicking money bags, you can upgrade the sunshine, your watering can, fertilizer, fruits, and genetic research to further boost your earnings.
The game sparked discussions on the importance of hard work so you can make more money and being careful how you will spend your money. It also answered the question, “Does money grow on trees?
Digital Age Dexterity
Recognizing the digital era we live in, I introduced other online financial games and applications to keep up with the evolving learning landscape. The students eagerly immersed themselves in virtual worlds where they managed virtual bank accounts, invested in stocks, and even simulated starting their own businesses. Through these games, they gained insights into the complexities of financial decision-making in a digital context, while also honing their critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
Teaching children about money through games has been an incredibly rewarding experience for both me and my students. By embracing a hands-on, playful approach, we have transformed what could have been a dry and tedious subject into an engaging and memorable learning journey. Through games, we have equipped our students with essential money skills, fostering financial literacy, responsible decision-making, and a sense of empowerment. As a teacher, witnessing the growth and enthusiasm of my students as they navigate the world of finance has been nothing short of inspiring. The power of games to educate and ignite a lifelong interest in financial literacy is undeniable, and I am committed to continuing this exciting journey of learning through play.
