Start with this question
“What is it for? What might change if we waited?”
Do this next
- Make three spaces. Label them Need, Want and It depends. Paper is optional.
- Choose six familiar things. Try water, shoes, a bus ride, a toy, a tablet and a birthday cake.
- Ask for the reason. A child can point, move, sign, use AAC, watch or pass. There can be more than one fair answer.
Use “it depends” on purpose
Shoes can be a need, but the newest branded pair may be a want. A tablet may be for play, communication, school or all three. A taxi may look like a want until safety, access or time changes the answer.
Ask: “What does it help the person do?” This keeps the activity about purpose, not whether the person is good or bad.
No printer and no forced talking
Use three chairs, bowls or sides of a table. Use objects, pictures or spoken examples. Your child can place, point, eye-gaze, sign, use AAC, watch or pass. If three choices are too much, start with two.
Try it in a shop
Pick one item, not the whole trolley. Ask: “What is it for?” Then: “Is it needed today, wanted today, or does it depend?” The adult still makes the buying decision.
Keep sharing optional
You can talk about sharing money, time or help. But sharing is not a fee for being kind. It does not replace food, warmth or other needs. Save some, spend some, share some if you can.
Why this may help
MoneyHelper suggests talking about needs and wants in familiar situations. Young children are still building these ideas. This activity opens a conversation; it does not grade the child or predict later money habits.