I loved the idea - for me it's about teaching financial skills as well. In a dairy the owner (and me!) just want them to pick something and get out. Many moons ago I worked in a dairy after school and I used to love the kids who came in with their 30c and picked out their lollies one by one asking 'do I have anything left?' after each selection.
Over the last couple of months I have bought extra bits and pieces at the supermarket and other places and kept a record of the prices so I can charge the right amount (hate rounding with 10s though such a shame we have no 5c pieces any more).
On Friday after kindy Bounce and I set up the shop. Then after school - no homework hoorah! - we had 2 other families over (if you are going to go the effort...) and the kids all brought their money and came to 'Mum's Shop'. I borrowed a cash register (play one) from kindy and had all my change ready to go.
It was really interesting how the kids shopped - highlights for me were:
The youngest shopper who bought a ball and a mini-chocolate bar for his $1 and then asked me for some more money
My Bounce (3) who bought one thing, sat quietly eating it and then came back to the shop again, ate, returned until he was finished (he had money left at the end and he was done with shopping).
Flip (6) added all his purchases up in his head and bought everything at once. All the others just picked something and trusted me to do the maths and give them change
Another shopper said, with great delight, 'you keep giving me money back so I never run out' (he did eventually!)
We're hoping to do Mum's shop about every 4-6 weeks. The boys loved it so much. After the shop had shut they all played. Just before home time Flip decided to hand out spare packets of chips from the shop for free (bless his generous heart) and they all received a 'taking things without paying is stealing' lesson. (While the parents quietly laughed). Here's what the stock looked like at the end and I have money to re-stock:
I really, really enjoyed the afternoon and it was really interesting to me which things went first (balls, glo sticks, chup-a-chups and 50c mixtures) and which didn't have much interest shown surprisingly I sold more packets of raisins than I did mini-chocolate bars!
Do your children get pocket money? Would you do this?
This year I am making more of a conscious effort to have quality moments with my boys. B.M.W.B (becoming the mama I want to be) is my way of recording and hopefully inspiring other mama’s too. Please inspire me with the little moments you are snatching with your little people OR with ideas I could do with mine. If you have blogged about it please leave a comment so we can all visit and encourage each other.
Simple. Achievable. Intentional: becoming the mama I want to be.
18 comments:
What a wonderful idea! My two don't get pocket money yet, but I love this idea, such a fun way to teach children about money.
I love this idea it is so cool! I wanna visit your shop!
You are amazing Miriam! I can imagine how much the kids loved it - I would have LOVED doing this when I was a kid. I really like how you chose to sell toys as well, not just sweets/food. It reinforces the idea that treats are not just junk food (which is what my children seem to have decided!). We haven't decided about pocket money yet, but I think I would do this, especially if we could join up with some of our friends and make it worthwhile as you have done. Great job (as usual!).
That is so clever! How fun!
yes lots of great fun lessons to learn
you'd be very welcome! :o)
Thanks Jess always so generous in your praise!
What a great blog : ). I love this idea,fun and really educational. Our kids don't get regular pocket money yet but sometimes they get 50c to make their beds. A few weeks ago after swimming lessons T aged 3 asked if he could have a treat out of the vending machine, I said he could use his own money to get something next time. He remembered, spent '3 lots of bed making money' and loved it!
Lala does get pocket money - she usually fleeces Grandad for small change!! She likes the plunk it makes when it goes in her money box, but we do have a purse with change in it. Its just a shame you can't get much for a dollar - and what you do get breaks in an afternoon. There were tears. I like your way much better!
I LOVE this idea. Charlie would totally love it as well. I think it's a great way to teach them.
Fun!
eek I know I would have to be so super disciplined in something like this because knowing me I would end up giving away all the left overs like flip did too! kinda defeating the whole purpose.
awesome idea
it was heaps of fun
I love that '3 lots of bed making' SO cute. Thanks for visiting :o)
Yeah i was pretty conscious of not wanting to stock the shop with 'junk'
Thanks Ashley - my eldest especially loves maths and so this is right up his alley
ha that is awesome - business not so much your thing then? or just you have a super generous disposition!
I love this idea! My 8 year old gets $5 a week to sweep the kitchen floor each morning, feed the cat twice daily and sort the recycling once a week but it goes straight into his bank account via AP. He chooses a savings goal and saves up for the Lego set or book he has his heart set on (he has to increase the overall bank balance by $10 each time he withdraws so the amount saved has to be the cost of the item plus $10) and then we withdraw the cash and take a special trip to the toy/book store. It works really well but this looks like fun! Perhaps he needs some real cash money to take responsibility for every now and again too.
What a great idea! I'd be fascinated to see how my kids reasoned in this regard! What a lovely activity and I bet they all Loved it!
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