Learning and Fun with Money

Money is Fascinating to Children

Money is fascinating to young children especially when they look closely at the pictures and symbols. They learn about national monuments in Washington D.C., national parks, states, founding fathers, and presidents. They can learn what George Washington and Abraham Lincoln actually looked like.
  By examining money, families can begin teaching children about the history of the United States, slogans, and government basics (civics).
   Some easy and fun money experiences can be provided at home to supplement classroom activities around President’s Day. Older siblings or adults can spend time interacting, and answering questions while supervising young children.
Look Closely at Money

Money Helps Learn About National Monuments

  Collect some change and paper money and spread it out on the table. If children have a piggy back or have just received money, they will especially enjoy looking at “their money.” Use a magnifying glass to look at the pictures on the money. What date is on the coin? What US symbols and slogans are on the money? Talk about what a President does and how citizens choose this leader, especially important during an election year. Who is the President now?  Where does he live? Older children will like the philadelphia.org/education site and learn about pyramids, frogs, goddesses, and Santa Claus on early money.
  Sort and categorize the money in piles. Talk about what we call each piece of money. What do we do with money? Where do people keep their money? Older kids can learn the value of each coin and how we count change.
 

Talk About Money & Start A Collection

How much money is on the table if you add it all together? Write it down to show how we write dollars and cents. Younger kids will enjoy just counting how many of each type of coin is present. Line them up.  How many pennies would we need to make a nickel or dime? Children may want to start a quarter collection and learn about a state on each quarter.
Fun Money Science
 After covering a table with newspaper, mix a little salt with some lemon juice in a plastic or ceramic cup. Drop a few pennies into the lemon juice and let them soak for about 30 minutes.

Practice Science With Money

Then remove the pennies and wipe them with a paper or cloth.    Another suggestion is to make a little paste with the juice plus some baking soda, rub it on the penny for a few minutes, then rinse. The darker residue that is removed is copper oxide caused by oxygen in the air combining with the copper. A new shiny penny appears.  Remind children not to touch their eyes, wash hands, and wipe up the area. 
Photos: Fran Darling, fdarling fotos 
More Ideas and Activities....See the authors’ book “Learning Through the Seasons” at area bookstores and grandparentsteachtoo.org. For more help to prepare young children for success in school see the authors’ web site: www.grandparentsteachtoo.org. Also check our audio Podcasts WNMU Radio, 90; Youtube video activities; and join us on Pinterest