Teaching your child about money and finances will be easiest when you start early. Here's a quick review of what you might consider teaching your children at each age and stage, to help set them on a path to become financially savvy adults:
Preschool
Identify coins and bills, and learn what each is worth.
Understand that you can't buy everything (choices are necessary).
Save money in a piggy bank.
Grade School
Read price tags, and learn comparison-shopping.
Do money arithmetic (make change).
Manage an allowance, and use it to pay for some purchases.
Open a savings account and learn about interest.
Participate in family financial discussions about major purchases, vacation choices, etc.
High School
Work to earn money.
Budget for larger purchases.
Learn to use a checking account.
Learn about investing — stocks, mutual funds, CDs, IRAs, etc.
Share in financial planning (and saving) for college.
College
Learn about borrowing money (interest, default, etc.).
Use credit cards judiciously.
Participate in family estate planning discussions.
Knowing about money – how to earn it, use it, invest it, and share it — is a critical life skill. It's never too early to start teaching your children about financial matters.