TOPIC:

What is Money?

RESOURCES NEEDED:

Paper, glue, stickers, crayons, markers, ribbon, buttons, or other craft materials

LEARNING OPPORTUNITY:

It is never too early to teach your child the names of Canadian coins and paper money. It is the beginning of their money education so they can see how money is used in the world. This activity not only teaches your child to understand Canadian money, it may prove to be a helpful activity to amuse your child will waiting at the doctor’s office or travelling in the car.

THE ACTIVITY:

• Open the following links and choose one idea for making a paper bag, or be creative and use your own ideas.
  • http://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Paper-Bag
  • http://papercraftprintable.com/triangle-gift-bag-template-and-tutorial/
• Ask your child to decorate their bag using whatever craft supplies you have.
• Print out the two money sheets provided and help your child cut out the coins and bills and place them in the bag, (OR fill the bag with a variety of real Canadian money.)
• Ask them to remove from the bag one coin or bill at a time and tell them the name of the coin. Ask them to say the name. Continue until all the money is out of the bag.
• Then ask them to put back the money as you call out a name. For example, put back the coin called a nickel. Continue until all the money is back in the bag.
• Take the bag with you in the car or whenever you have some free time. Your child will get to know the names of all the coins while having fun at the same time.

FOLLOW UP IDEAS:

• Visit the Royal Canadian Mint web site. http://www.mint.ca
• Extend their knowledge by using the money names for making purchases. For example, when they ask for a drink of juice, say “That will cost you one quarter please!” or “Give me a loonie and you can have a cookie too!”

WEBSITES:

• http://www.whyfor.com/nocents/nocents.htm
  Read why the penny was taken out of circulation.
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Canadian_currency
  The history of Canadian currency.
• http://www.whattoexpect.com/toddler/photo-gallery/teaching-kids-about-money.aspx
  7 Games That Teach Kids About Money

Canadian Currency