Teaching Young Learners That Good Money Choices Help Them Do More of What They Love
Kindergarten students already understand something powerful:
When they make good choices, good things happen.
They get:
More play time
More trust
More opportunities
Follow the Money Rules introduces a similar idea about money:
“Follow the money rules…
You’ll get to do more of the things you want to do.”
For kindergarteners, this lesson is simple and empowering:
Good money choices lead to good outcomes.
And that feels exciting.
Lesson Focus (Kindergarten)
Big Idea: Good money choices help us do more of what we want.
Primary Concept:
Following money rules is a recipe for success.
Standards Alignment:
Council for Economic Education (CEE) – Decision Making
Jump$tart National Standards (K–2) – Spending & Saving
CASEL – Responsible Decision-Making
Why This Matters in Kindergarten
Kindergarteners think in terms of:
“I want to play.”
“I want a toy.”
“I want a treat.”
This lesson connects money to something positive and motivating:
Following money rules helps you do more of what you enjoy.
We are not teaching complexity.
We are teaching cause and effect.
Choice → Result.
Classroom Lesson Plan
Objective
Students will understand that good money choices help them do more of the things they enjoy.
Materials
Audio of Follow the Money Rules
Chart paper labeled: “Good Choices Help Me…”
Drawing paper and crayons
Warm-Up Discussion (5 Minutes)
Ask:
What is something you like to do?
What happens when you make good choices in class?
Do good choices help you do more fun things?
Write student responses.
Then say:
“Money works the same way.”
Song Experience (5 Minutes)
Play the song.
Ask students to listen carefully for:
“You’ll get to do more of the things you want to do.”
Repeat that line together.
Ask:
What do you think that means?
Mini-Lesson (5–7 Minutes)
Explain simply:
When we follow money rules — like saving and spending smart — we have more chances to do fun things later.
Draw two quick examples on board:
Choice 1: Spend all money on candy.
Choice 2: Save some money.
Ask:
Which choice helps you later?
Connect to lyric:
“Money rules are a recipe for success.”
Explain:
A recipe helps you make something good.
Money rules help you make good things happen.
Activity (10–15 Minutes)
Students draw:
Part 1: Something they love to do.
Part 2: The money rule that helps them do it.
Teacher writes sentence under drawing:
“When I follow money rules, I can ______.”
Examples:
Go to the movies.
Buy a toy later.
Save for something special.
Companion Assessment
Pre-Assessment (Before Lesson)
Ask orally:
What is a good choice?
What happens when you make good choices?
Can choices change what happens later?
Teacher notes:
Understanding of cause and effect
Post-Assessment (After Lesson)
Part 1 – Picture Question
Show two pictures:
Child saving money.
Child spending everything immediately.
Ask:
“Which choice helps you do more things later?”
Part 2 – Sentence Completion
Students complete:
“Good money choices help me ______.”
Look for:
Do more fun things
Save for something
Get something later
What Success Looks Like
By the end of this lesson, students should:
Connect good choices to positive outcomes.
Understand that money rules help them.
Feel empowered — not restricted — by rules.
Most importantly…
They begin associating money rules with opportunity.
Not limitation.
That emotional framing is powerful at this age.
Extending the Habit
Throughout the week, teachers can ask:
“Did your choices today help you do more of what you want?”
The goal is to reinforce the cause-and-effect connection.
Because when children believe their choices create opportunity, they feel empowered.
And empowerment builds confidence.
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Kindergarten Financial Literacy Lesson Plan: Money Rules as a Recipe for Success