Kids, cash and sustainability : Economic knowledge and behaviors among preschool children

• Although young children are often involved in economic transactions of various kinds in their daily activities, research on their knowledge and behaviors in relation to sustainable economics is limited. Sustainable economics deals with, among others, equity, corporate responsibility and poverty reduction. This study explored preschool children's knowledge and behaviors concerning the use of money, their willingness to share resources with friends and the sources of knowledge about economic issues. A total of 53 final-year preschool children, aged five to six, from 12 preschools in Sweden were interviewed. The data were analyzed using content analysis and the Structure of the Observed Learning Outcomes (SOLO) Taxonomy. The results show that the children considered money to be used largely for the consumption of goods, while a few wanted to donate their money to the poor and to family members. With regards to sharing resources, most of the children wanted to share their candies with friends, and they viewed sharing as being a social responsibility or a moral obligation, or as being fair. Parents, teachers and the children themselves were reported as the main sources of knowledge. Further research is needed to enhance our knowledge about how to integrate economic sustainability issues in preschool.

Ämnesord

SAMHÄLLSVETENSKAP  -- Utbildningsvetenskap -- Pedagogiskt arbete (hsv//swe)

SOCIAL SCIENCES  -- Educational Sciences -- Pedagogical Work (hsv//eng)

SAMHÄLLSVETENSKAP  -- Utbildningsvetenskap (hsv//swe)

SOCIAL SCIENCES  -- Educational Sciences (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

consumption

early childhood education

economic behavior

knowledge

practices

savings

SOLO Taxonomy

sustainable development

Utbildning och lärande

Publikations- och innehållstyp

ref (ämneskategori)

art (ämneskategori)