Teaching children about money doesn’t need to mean adding another layer to an already busy curriculum. In fact, some of the most effective lessons happen in moments that schools are already creating - from classroom discussions and role-play to everyday numeracy activities.
Following on from last week’s topic, Needs versus Wants, this week we’re looking at how primary schools can introduce money lessons in fun, low-pressure ways that build confidence rather than anxiety.
Why Financial Education Matters in the Classroom
According to the Money and Pensions Service, money habits begin to form between the ages of seven and nine. Yet many children leave primary school without ever discussing how money actually works in real life.
Teachers often tell us they want to help but feel unsure where to start or worry about “getting it wrong.” The good news is that financial literacy doesn’t require specialist knowledge - it’s about giving children a safe space to ask questions and explore ideas.
Learning Through Everyday Activities
Money concepts can be woven into subjects that already exist in the school day:
· Maths: Use prices and coins when teaching addition, subtraction, and estimation.
· English: Encourage pupils to write persuasive letters or adverts - sparking discussions about value and choice.
· Art and Design: Challenge students to design their own currency, exploring what symbols represent trust and fairness.
· PSHE: Use circle time to talk about saving, sharing, and kindness in spending decisions.
These subtle links help normalise conversations about money without needing a new subject or extra timetable slot.
Role-Play and Real-World Scenarios
Children learn best by doing. “Mini-economy” activities - where the classroom becomes a small society - are increasingly popular in UK schools.
Encourage pupils take turns running a “class shop,” earning classroom currency for teamwork, kindness, or creative work. They can then “spend” their tokens on small rewards like extra reading time or art supplies.
Teachers report that this approach:
· Boosts numeracy and collaboration
· Builds awareness of fairness and responsibility
· Turns abstract money ideas into lived experiences
Confidence, Not Complexity
The goal of early financial education isn’t to make every child a future banker - it’s to make them comfortable talking about money.
That comfort leads to confidence, and confidence leads to curiosity.
By focusing on values - fairness, patience, generosity, and planning - schools can help pupils build financial resilience that lasts well beyond test scores.
A recent OECD report found that students who frequently discuss money at school show higher long-term financial wellbeing, even when controlling for income and background.
Supporting Teachers Without Adding Workload
Schools don’t need to start from scratch. There’s now a growing library of free UK resources designed for teachers:
· Young Enterprise offers lesson plans and printable worksheets linked to the curriculum.
· My Money Week provides creative challenges suitable for all year groups.
· Money Heroes delivers free storybooks and classroom games developed with HSBC and Young Money.
ThinkPieces aims to complement these initiatives by providing accessible think pieces, discussion prompts, and creative classroom ideas - helping educators feel inspired, not overwhelmed.
The Home-School Connection
The most effective learning happens when schools and families work together. Teachers can help bridge that gap by sending short “money moments” home:
· A simple budgeting challenge for the weekend
· A question to discuss at dinner: “What’s one thing we could save for together?”
· Or a short ThinkPieces activity link for families to try
These connections help normalise money talk across generations - and make financial literacy a shared responsibility.
What Children Say
When pupils are asked what they enjoy about learning about money, the answers are wonderfully honest:
“It makes me feel grown up.”
“I like learning how to save for something.”
“It helps me understand what my parents mean when they say things are expensive.”
Those comments capture exactly why this matters: financial education builds not just knowledge, but empathy and understanding.
A Piece to Think About
Teaching money in primary schools doesn’t have to mean more work - it can mean more meaning.
By embedding small, creative money moments into lessons, schools can give every child a sense of confidence and control. They’ll leave the classroom not just knowing what money is, but understanding how it fits into their lives.
Next week, we’ll turn our attention to the world outside school gates - exploring how the UK’s cost-of-living crisis is shaping children’s money habits and the lessons we can take from it.
Join us on this journey… one ThinkPiece at a time!
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