I want that. I need that. Can I get that?
I’m sure my kids are like every kid that when they see a commercial they NEED it. It was really getting to me when after every commercial or while we were in the store I’d get the gimme, I need, I want, can I have?! How do I teach a 3 year old and almost 2 year old about needs verses wants and the value of a dollar?
Here’s what I did!
I took a small piggy bank and told the kids that they need to earn enough money to buy whichever toy they wanted. My kids are way to young to understand actual value so the goal was to fill the bank to the top! They were able to earn coins when they did “good” things; putting dishes in the sink (yes both my kids do this without being told. holla!), saying please and thank you, sharing, etc. I did have to threaten to take coins out for bad behavior and I think one night I even threatened to dump all the coins out and use it as a wine glass.
This totally worked for us! I started our first piggy bank a week or so before school and wanted to make sure it wasn’t full until at least a week or two into school. When my daughter would ask for something in the store I would say, “Wow, that is cool! But remember we’re saving up our money for that doughnut maker you want. Let’s put that on your Christmas list or even for your birthday.” NO tantrum. NO fighting. I felt like I even saw her weighing her options too! I would also reiterate food and water are things we need, a doll that poops out gems is a want. A warm house to live in is what we need, Hamper Hoops is a want.
So after about a month of earning enough money I am happy to say my daughter earned her doughnut maker and my son earned two big dinosaurs.
P.S. I wrote this and my daughter just asked if we can go to Disney World after we come home from our cruise in a couple weeks. Oh boy. Lets call this a work in progress!
What types can you share about teaching needs verses wants to young children?
