New research on children’s economic behavior
It is an exciting and important question how children learn to manage money and resources at a young age. Finally, understanding economics and finance is an important part of adult life. In recent years, there have been a number of studies that have looked at this very issue.
Some of the interesting findings of the research are that children at an early age are already able to understand and apply basic concepts of economic action. This includes, for example, understanding supply and demand or negotiating power and bartering.
But not only the understanding, but also the behavior of children in economic situations is being studied. For example, studies have shown that children often prefer to spend a certain amount of money immediately instead of saving it. Factors such as age, gender or social background also play a role in this context.
Research on children’s economic behavior is therefore of great importance to our society. It can help develop better educational programs and improve financial literacy among children. In addition, it can also influence policy and economic decisions by providing a better understanding of how people make economic decisions.
In this series of articles, we will examine and discuss in more detail some of the interesting findings of studies on children’s economic behavior.
Children’s economic behavior: An important study
Studying children’s economic behavior is of great importance in modern society. There are many reasons why this is so. First, the study of children’s behavior can help us understand the development of economic processes. Second, it can help to better understand how to prepare children for financial life after school.
It is important to study children’s behavior because it can have a significant impact on their later lives. Studies have shown that behavior at a young age is often an indicator of later behavior. Such an investigation allows us to find ways to improve children’s behavior and thus minimize the risk of later financial difficulties.
In addition, studying children’s economic behavior can help develop better education systems and curricula. With an understanding of how children make financial decisions, educators can create curricula that specifically address children’s economic behaviors. The result is a more effective educational experience that enables children to improve their financial skills and be prepared for a successful future.
- Findings from this research can help:
- -Understand the development of economic processes
- -Preparing children for financial life
- -Find ways to improve children’s behavior to minimize the risk of financial difficulties later in life.
- -Develop better education systems and curricula
What skills can children use to act economically?
Studies have shown that children with certain skills are better able to act economically. One of these skills is the understanding of numbers and mathematics. When children learn mathematical thinking early, they are later able to create budgets and plan finances.
Understanding risk and reward is also important. When children understand that greater risks usually bring greater rewards, they can better weigh whether a certain behavior is worthwhile. It will also enable them to make more realistic economic decisions.
Another important factor is the ability to exercise self-control. Children who are able to forgo short-term pleasures tend to be more successful in managing finances. The ability to exercise patience and work toward long-term goals can have a positive effect on economic behavior.
Learning economic basics is also of great importance. Children who have a basic knowledge of finance and economics are better able later on to make decisions related to their money. This includes understanding credit, interest rates, and other financial tools.
- Conclusion: To be able to act economically, children need skills such as mathematical understanding, risk-reward awareness, self-control and knowledge of finance and economics.

Promoting economic awareness in children
Studies on children’s economic behavior show that basic money management skills are acquired as early as infancy. Parents and schools have an important role to play in promoting economic awareness in children.
Parents can teach children how to handle money through play at an early age, thus promoting an understanding of economic relationships in their children. For example, they can introduce an allowance and work with children to consider how the money can be used.
Economic knowledge can be taught at school through targeted projects and hands-on experiences. For example, one option is the student company, where students start and run their own small business. In the process, they learn important economic principles such as planning, organizing, and accounting.
- In addition, projects on sustainability and resource scarcity can also be carried out in the classroom to raise awareness of economic issues.
- Another approach is to teach financial literacy through the use of games and simulations that encourage students to understand and analyze economic relationships.
A joint effort by parents and schools to promote children’s economic awareness helps them cope better later in life and handle money more responsibly.
What do current studies say about children’s economic behavior??
Current research shows that children make economic decisions at an early age and have a certain idea about money and its value. A study by the University of Duisburg-Essen found that children as young as 3 years old are already able to count simple amounts of money and recognize the value of coins and bills.
Further research has shown that children’s economic behavior is strongly dependent on their family background and socialization. Children from families with a higher socioeconomic status tend to be more frugal and risk-taking, while children from poorer families tend to be more impulsive and risk-averse when dealing with money.
- A study by the University of Bonn found that children aged 8 to 14 who regularly receive pocket money tend to be more responsible with money than children who do not receive pocket money.
- Another study by the University of Hohenheim found that children who learn to manage money early and are involved in family finances tend to be more financially successful later in life.
In general, it can be said that children’s economic behavior is strongly influenced by their environment and socialization. It is therefore important to give children an early awareness of the value of money and to involve them in financial management in order to promote responsible and successful economic behavior.
Contribution of research to the further development of children’s economic behavior
Children are naturally curious and willing to learn. Therefore, it is important to provide them with basic knowledge about economic behavior at an early age. Numerous studies have shown that children can improve their skills in this area through learning through play. However, the exact mechanisms that lead children to improve their economic behavior are not yet fully understood.
One way to advance research in this area is to use insights from behavioral economics. These note that people’s behavior is often influenced by certain psychological factors. If we understand these factors, we can develop targeted interventions that improve children’s economic behavior.
Another approach is to examine the role of parents and other caregivers in teaching economic skills. Both quantitative and qualitative research methods can be used for this purpose. For example, parents could be asked how they talk to their children about money or what values they convey to their children.
- Research can also help understand how media influence children’s economic behavior. One possible question would be what influence advertising has on children’s purchasing decisions.
- It is also important to study how economic education affects children’s behavior. This could involve studying, for example, whether children who have received better financial education are more likely to manage their finances better.
Overall, there are many ways in which research can help improve children’s economic behavior. By using a variety of research methods and considering psychological factors, interventions can be developed to help children develop a better understanding of financial relationships and more sensible consumer behavior.