Your children need to understand about the real world and at some stage they will learn that not everything is Disney related or make-believe. It is a fine balance deciding what reality to introduce into the classroom, but it would be a degradation of duty if children left school without understanding how to live satisfactorily the following day. By using school receipt books to issue receipts for items they pay for and introducing them to world news, you show them there is a world outside of the school.
Introducing Children Paying for Items
At an early age, you can introduce children into paying for smaller items when they stay within your sight, perhaps at the local food court when they buy doughnuts. This will show them how to politely ask for an item, present the right money, count their change and receive a receipt for their purchase.
This process can be pre-empted by using school receipt books when children present money for items during school hours, when they purchase a snack or extra workbooks.
Choose the News to Share
While you may not wish to share devastating news to very young children, you can use local, national and international news to bring stories to their attention. By discussing what is happening out in the real world, they will understand that there is life beyond their bubble within the school grounds.
They will begin to understand concepts that concern real-life. They will learn that cars break down and need to be towed by a wrecker to the vehicle mechanic’s workshop. You can introduce budgeting into this example by showing children that they may have to make decisions about parts that can be replaced on the vehicle and others that must wait until they have sufficient funds.
Children enjoy the concept of understanding what happens outside of their protected school world. The introduction of school receipt books when they purchase items at school and understanding the news and concepts of reality will leave them asking more questions and requiring answers.
