Candy Store

Oh, this is from ages ago, but I'm finally getting it posted.  Back in October, after DaddyHealy returned from business meetings in the US bearing Halloween goodies from Grandmas plus a giant sack of trick-or-treats he picked up at walmart, we got this grand idea to practice our use of (American) money and math with a candy store.  We definitley have our treats at the Healy House, but that means one mini peanut butter cup or 5 conversation hearts after dinner.  So this was a feast, a buffet of candy.

D really wanted to be shop keeper and created the store, the displays the signs and the prices all himself.  Each child was given an allowance to spend at the candy shop that day, and D jumped back and forth between being shopkeeper and customer.  He also helped the girls evaluate what they could afford and what coins to pay with.

It turned out to be a great lesson on money.  It also was a good exercise in making choices.  We like to offer that kind of experience to our little ones...making a choice.  So even though compared to every day this was a major candy binge, there was still a limit, but they were in control of how and when they used their budget.

Not surprisingly, H spent her whole allowance on lollypops, M was the first to use up her money and D was the most responsible and also had the most difficult time deciding, especially when it got down to the last purchase or two.  He also tried to maximize his allowance, making sure he had as few cents left over as possible.  Next time it would be curious to see how he responds if I offered to let them keep any money they did not spend.  I guess that means there will be a "next time."