Home Program
Age Range: Category: Title:
11–13
Games
Filling in the Skeleton
TITLE: Filling in the Skeleton
TOPIC: Money in General—A Wise Consumer
RESOURCES NEEDED: A copy of the skeleton graph listed below
LEARNING OPPORTUNITY:
Often children “lose sight of where their money goes.” They have earned some money and,
before they know it, it is gone because they have spent it without giving due thought. It is
important for these children to understand the importance of using their money wisely
and, for that reason, this activity has them reflect on what it means to be a wise money
manager.
THE ACTIVITY:
• Arrange to sit down with your child/children and ask what does the phrase “A fool
and his money are soon parted.”
• Ensure that the idea that people need to handle their money carefully has been
made.
• Ask them if they think they handle money carefully and with thought about its best
use.
• Ask them what smart people do to make sure that they are “not parted” from their
money.
• Tell them that you and they are going to play a little game by completing the skeleton
chart below identifying traits that smart people show about money.
• Tell them that you and they will take turns completing a blank space and see if you
can complete the entire skeleton. (As an example, in the blank that refers to the
spine, one might put that a smart money person has the backbone to withstand
pressure to buy something that really isn’t needed.)
• Take the time to complete the skeleton and then discuss with them what they learned
or were reminded about by completing the chart.
TIPS:
It is important to remember that there has to be a balanced approach when managing
money. Becoming “a miser” and not allowing for some personal reward for wise money
management will create an improper approach to money management.
Home Program — Age Range: 11–13
A program of
Filling in the Skeleton continued
FOLLOW UP IDEAS:
1. They could keep a list of all the wise money moves they made during a two week
period and you could discuss it with them at the end of that time. You could then
discuss with them how “they are further ahead” or what they want to do with any
money they might have saved as a result.
WEBSITES:
1. Piggy Bank—Saving Money and Cutting Costs
http://www.piggy-bank.org.uk/
(Courtesy of The Canadian Foundation for Economic Education—www.cfee.org)
Home Program — Age Range: 11–13
A program of