Learning Map
Life SkillsMoney & Financeusually ages 5–7

Needs & Wants

The difference between things we need (food, shelter, clothing) and things we want (toys, treats); that we sometimes have to choose because money is limited

How to tell they’ve got it

Tick these off as you see them — no test required.

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Try this together

If you showed your child pictures of a winter coat, a toy robot, and a loaf of bread, could they tell you which ones are needs and which is a want?

Where this sits on the map

Stuck here? Check the skills it builds on first. Confident? Here’s what it unlocks.

Builds on
What Money Isages 5–7Must understand money exists and is limited before distinguishing needs from wants
Needs & Wantsthis skill · ages 5–7
Unlocks
Advertising & Spendingages 7–9Must understand needs vs wants to critically evaluate advertising
Budgeting Pocket Moneyages 7–9Must understand needs vs wants to make budget trade-offs
Making Something to Sellages 5–7Cross-domain: needs vs wants (Money & Finance) helps understand what makes a product desirable
Saving Moneyages 5–7Understanding needs vs wants helps motivate saving decisions
Fair Trade & Ethicsages 7–9Needs vs wants thinking extends to ethical consumer choices

solid = must come firstdashed = helps

Curriculum alignment

Candidate matches to official curriculum codes — machine-suggested, unreviewed (v0.1).

This skill sits outside the F–6 Australian Curriculum — no candidate code matched (v0.1). No NSW K–6 outcome code matched (v0.1). No Victorian Curriculum 2.0 code matched (v0.1).

Nearby on the map

Buying Thingsages 5–7 Coins & Notesages 5–7 Jobs People Doages 5–7 Looking After Moneyages 5–7

All Money & Finance skills →