Why Financial Education Is as Important as Reading and Maths

We would never send children into the world unable to read or count.

Despite strong support from parents — nearly 9 in 10 think financial education should be part of the school curriculum — millions of young people still graduate without the money skills they need.

They learn algebra.

They learn grammar.

They learn history.

But they are rarely taught how to budget, save, spend wisely, or understand everyday money decisions — even though money is something they will use every single day of their lives.

And that gap has consequences.

Money Is a Life Skill — Not an Optional Extra

Money touches almost every part of adult life:

• Paying bills

• Buying food

• Saving for the future

• Making choices

• Avoiding debt

• Planning goals

• Managing pressure

  
  

Yet most adults were never taught how to manage money — they were expected to “figure it out” along the way.

This creates stress, mistakes, and long-term financial anxiety that could have been avoided with early education.

Children Form Money Habits Early

Research shows that children begin forming lifelong money habits by around age seven.This means their understanding of saving, spending, risk, and value starts long before they earn their first pound.

By the time teenagers receive bank cards and pocket money, many habits are already deeply rooted.

So waiting until adulthood to teach financial skills is often too late.

Financial Education Builds Confidence, Not Just Knowledge

Financial education isn’t just about learning numbers — it’s about building confidence.

Children who understand money:

• Feel safer making choices

• Ask better questions

• Plan instead of panic

• Think before spending

• Are less likely to fall into harmful money habits

They grow into adults who feel in control — not overwhelmed — by financial decisions.

Why It Belongs Beside Reading and Maths

Reading helps children understand the world.Maths helps them work with numbers.Financial education helps them live.

It turns knowledge into real-life skills — preparing children for the decisions they will make every day as adults.

How Smartmonies Makes Financial Learning Simple

At Smartmonies, we teach children real-world money skills through:

• Age-appropriate lessons

• Interactive activities

• Everyday scenarios

• Story-driven learning

• Confidence-building practice

  
  

So children don’t just know about money — they know how to use it wisely.

Final Thought

Children will use money every day for the rest of their lives.They deserve to feel confident doing it.

Financial education isn’t an “extra”.It’s essential.

Ready to Level Up Your Child's Financial Skills?

📘 Book a Smartmonies lesson today and help your child begin building essential financial skills for life.