Although
few books address the unique concerns of wealthy parents,
many general-audience resources contain useful information
about teaching children how to spend, save, invest, and
give money. The overall advice: examine your own past;
make learning about money a part of daily family life;
model what you teach; and seek a balance between guiding
children and letting them learn from their own mistakes.
Note:
More Than Money
does not necessarily endorse
all the viewpoints in the resources below.
Most
of these, and other books on money and children, can be
ordered from the National Center for Financial Education:
NCFE, Money-Book Store Catalog, P.O. Box 34070, San Diego,
CA 92163 800-837-6729.
Books
for Children
The
Totally Awesome Money Book
, by Adrianne G. Berg and
Arthur Berg Bochner. A guide
written by a mother and her 11-year-old son for kids age
ten and up. Covers how to spend, save, and invest
money. Includes games, quizzes, riddles, charts, and stories.
Newmarket Press,
1993.
If You Made A Million
,
by David M. Schwartz. This delightful book shows
visually what money will buy, what it takes to earn it,
and how much it can grow if you save. Also explains how
borrowing works. For children grades two to six. Lee
and Shepard Books, 1989.
Books
for Parents
Kids,
Money & Values:
Creative
Ways
to Teach Your Kids
About Money
, by Patricia
Schiff Estess and Irving Barocas. An
easy-to-use book focussing on teaching good habits, attitudes,
and skills. Covers spending plans, allowances, distinguishing wants from needs, wise shopping,
and the art of giving. Includes activities,
tips and role-playing games, and projects by age from
preschool through pre-teen. Betterway
Books, 1994.
Piggy
Bank to Credit Card
, by Linda Barbanel. A
practical guide to teaching children financial skills.
Organized by two-year age groups from
six to eighteen with skills and challenges appropriate
for each group. Topics include dos and don'ts for
teaching "the financial facts of life," and how to
deal with compulsive shopping, excessive frugality, shoplifting,
etc. Crown Books, 1993.
A
Penny Saved
, by Neale S. Godfrey. This book offers
games and exercises regarding making budgets, doing chores
for pay, and investing. Unusual ideas: family banking
and pooling family money for family projects. Simon and Schuster, 1995.
Step-by-step
Kits for Parent and Kids Together
How
to Teach Children About Money
,
by Peggy Houser and Hassell Bradley. A guide for adults
to use to help children learn about earning, saving, spending,
and investing money. Each chapter incudes
objectives, preparation, a realistic conversation with
a child, and a field trip. Also includes a children's
book.
Available
for $15 from the author at 1551 Larimer St. #1201, Denver, CO 80202.
Monthly
Money
, by Craig W. Rhyme. A system for structuring allowances, budgeting and saving, for kids
and teens age six to eighteen. Parents' manual
suggests allowances for different ages and offers materials
for values training. Includes sample lists of chores for
which children are paid monthly, a record book to track
chores daily, and a portfolio with separate cash pockets
for saving, giving, etc.
Complete
kit: $40. Contact: Monthly Money, 425
Pike St., #403, Seattle,
WA 98101.
206/623-6390.
Kids
Biz: Make the Job of Growing Up Fun
, by Cheri Ellison
and Debbie Hope. Helps children develop good financial
habits, high self-esteem, and a positive work ethic, etc.
An elaborate plan for parents covers everything from money
matters to rules about homework. Kids' planner includes
a behavior checklist for each week. Children earn a paycheck
for completing daily and weekly jobs.
Planner:
$20; parent guide: $10. Order from 24843 Del Prado, #491,
Dana Point,
CA 92629. 714/496-1991.
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