Toy Review - ATM Playset V Toy Cash Register
Introducing the ATM Playset, which claims to be an educational toy, teaching kids to save - listing play benefits as *imagine *share and *explore! ... Is it just me, or is this toy just a little bit ridiculous? Maybe I need to open my mind, not be so old fashioned or simply not over think it - but honestly, at the moment, the extent of 'play' I imagine with this little ATM is not much more than: "Ooh! I need some money to go shopping!" .. beep, beep, hey presto, money appears from a magic tree box...followed shortly by..."I need more money!"... and "uh oh, there's no more money coming out! Let's open it up with the key that came with it and put the money back in and start again"...
* Abstract concept of saving and retrieving money
* Money comes out of a machine when you put a card in
* When money is gone - game over - go home!!!
I don't seem to have the same problems with toy cash registers.
* Money is tangible and swapped for goods - money has value
* Role playing - shop keeper and shopper
* When money is spent - swap roles or open a new shop selling different things!!!
I know kids need to start early with money awareness and education, but even the 3+ years recommendation on the ATM playset box seems a bit ambitious!
Being curious about what is usually taught and expected regarding kids and their understanding of money, I looked up a few sites that discuss teaching children about money:
Teaching kids about money - goals by age- From 6-10 years, and 11+...
Money as you grow - 20 things kids need to know - 3-5 year olds: You need money to buy things, you earn money by working, you may have to wait before you can buy something you want, there's a difference between things you want and things you need.
Teaching toddlers about money - 'Playing pretend' / grocery store; earning coins/money as a reward, and talking about money at the shops - including comparing prices.
As our little one is only 21 months old, I think his current money awareness play/ education is limited to learning that he can't have or take home everything he sees and likes in the shops; and perhaps soon he'll be ready and /or interested in playing pretend shop - as he certainly sees enough of me paying for groceries at the cash register. (Sometimes he hands over the money and takes the goods too).
Disclaimer and explanation:
No goods or payment from any toy companies are being received for the writing of these reviews. The reviews are my opinions only. One thing is certain - every child is different and is therefore likely to explore, play and enjoy different toys in their own way, at their own pace. And just like adults - kids have their own set of interests or passions they will be drawn to. Adults can encourage kids to develop through play, by providing them with a variety of play opportunities and toys; and my favourite play spaces have well organised, kid-accessible storage, and only a selection of 'toys' on display for kids to focus on -rather than overflowing with toys and 'stuff' that can become overwhelming and overstimulating! ... I am also a fan of the 'un-toy'!
How do you teach your kids about money? Do you have a toy ATM or cash register? - If so, I'd love to hear how they have they been incorporated in play?
If you enjoyed this post, you may also like to check these out from Kids' Play Space:
A word on buying toys
Campaign for gender neutral toys
Our top 5 (bought) baby toys
Thanks for visiting Kids' Play Space!
'til soon,
Anna :-)
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