Many advertisements address just what can be purchased with a dollar. With a few dollars (or equivalent coins) children with developmental delays can learn money.
Many kids with developmental delays need to experience what they are learning. Try this hands on approach to teaching money.
What Is Needed
- Twelve dollars in the following breakdown: 4-one dollar bills, 16 quarters, 40 dimes
- A vending machine that sells a favorite snack or soft drink for one dollar
- A great kid who wants to buy something
Materials to Make
Make three strips of paper. The first strip will have a picture of a dollar bill. The second strip will have a rectangle (the size of a dollar) and the outline of four quarters. Write 25¢ inside each quarter/circle. The third strip will have a rectangle (the size of a dollar) and the outline of ten dimes. Write 10¢ inside each dime/circle.
Purchase the Product with a Dollar
Over a period of time, allow the child to buy one item from the vending machine. Point out that the cost says $1.00. Use one dollars bills until three purchases have been made.
Purchase the Product with Coins Only
Quarters
Show your child the paper that represents a dollar. Show him the paper that represents four quarters on the dollar. Tell him that these are the same.
Allow the next three purchases (over time) to be made with four quarters for each purchase. Again, point out that the cost says $1.00. Then say that four quarters equal one dollar.
Dimes
Show your child the paper that represents a dollar. Show him the paper that represents four quarters on the dollar. Show him the paper that represents ten dimes on the dollar. Tell him that these are the same. Allow the next three purchases (over time) to be made with ten dimes for each purchase. Again, point out that the cost says $1.00. Then say that ten dimes equal one dollar.
Purchase the Product from a Pool of Money
Before you are in the place with the vending machine, remind your child that one dollar equals four quarters or ten dimes. Show him the papers. Have him match up the real coins to the dollar.
When you arrive at the vending machine site, show your child the pool of money that is left (1-one dollar bill, four quarters, ten dimes). Show him the papers that you practiced with at home. Let him choose the coins (or bill) needed to make the purchase.
Practicing Money Skills Over Time
If your child earns an allowance, you may wish to pay him in quarters, dimes, and dollars. Then when the vending machine situation arises, he will be able to practice the money skills he learned earlier.
