What modern financial education for young children can look like

photo. fundacja OOO

Support also comes from schools, where a financial education path aligned with the core curriculum can be introduced using innovative teaching methods like educational robots.

A study conducted under the project "Uczymy się OOO finansach" (We are learning abOOOut finance") by the Ogólnopolski Operator Oświaty Foundation and KRUK S.A. highlighted the importance of teaching financial literacy to young children. Today, every school can teach finance through play, even using robots.

Preschoolers and students from across Poland who took part in the "Uczymy się OOO finansach" project have just wrapped up months of productive learning. Now they are heading into a well-earned summer break. According to the project’s initiators and organizers, this time is a great chance to apply the financial knowledge and good habits they gained.

Learning about money and good habits with robots

The "Uczymy się OOO finansach" project created an educational path for preschool and early elementary children to learn about finance. It includes four lesson plans that cover the history and value of money, responsible borrowing and repaying, the importance of saving and allowances, planning expenses, learning good habits, and handling financial challenges.

Each lesson was developed and reviewed by education expert and IT trainer Małgorzata Rabenda, who is also the principal of SPECTO Primary School in Wrocław. The lessons form a sequence that can be used in preschool or school. They include arts and movement-based activities, present age-appropriate content in a friendly way, and help children make decisions and understand the outcomes.

- This is a complete educational path that can easily be run in preschool and school - said Małgorzata Rabenda, principal of SPECTO Primary School and education expert. - The lesson plans align with the core curriculum and are provided free of charge to teachers and parents. We made sure the lessons are highly engaging for children. That is why each module can use modern technology children find attractive, like the Polish Photon AI educational robots. These robots, donated by KRUK, are already helping children learn and supporting teachers in schools run by the Ogólnopolski Operator Oświaty Foundation. With them, children are eager to join the lessons and absorb knowledge about money, saving, borrowing, and repaying.

One in two third graders has trouble recovering a loan

Most five- and six-year-olds understand what money is and what it is used for. Interest in finance spikes between first and second grade. Even first graders already shop on their own and "earn" small rewards for chores. Most sixth graders borrow money from each other.

Children talk most often about money with parents (76 percent) and teachers (40 percent). The third most popular source is cartoons and movies (27 percent). Common topics include saving (65 percent) and the price of products and services (42 percent). The least discussed topics are good habits related to borrowing and returning money.

- One in two third graders already struggles to get back something they lent - said Bartłomiej Dwornik, project coordinator at the Ogólnopolski Operator Oświaty Foundation. - We also found that nearly 6 percent of children surveyed never talk about money. Among five-year-olds, that number is nearly 13 percent, which is understandable. But for older children, especially third graders, that raises questions.

Valuable teaching resources. For everyone and for free

Students created a booklet about borrowing and returning and inspired the creation of a full, innovative financial education path. The booklet is available as a free e-book and can be downloaded --> HERE.

The goal is to make financial knowledge accessible to every child and parent. According to the project’s coordinators, it is also essential reading for adults. Seeing finance through a child`s eyes can be eye-opening and valuable.

- Learning good habits in early school years will surely pay off later and help children build both financial and social responsibility - said Agnieszka Salach, spokesperson for KRUK S.A. - As children grow, conversations about borrowing money become more common, often due to pocket money given by family. Early school children begin to take pocket money to the school store and sometimes lend it to each other. But repayment does not always go smoothly. That is why we asked students to write and illustrate a guide for young children about borrowing and returning. Not just money.

So far, 10 schools and preschools have taken part in the project by the Ogólnopolski Operator Oświaty Foundation and KRUK S.A. Now, any educational institution can use the free learning path.

Visit the website:
operator.edu.pl/pl/ooo-finansach
and download the materials.

The time before summer break is perfect to take daydreaming kids who are already mentally outside the classroom on a financial adventure full of fun that will benefit them in adult life.