«Mum, I want that toy!» As parents, we hear this phrase every day. Our children are the «champions» of consumption. They know all the brands, from Disney and Nike to Roblox and Apple. But do they know what it means to own a piece of these companies?
At KidsInBusiness, we believe financial intelligence doesn’t stop at saving in a piggy bank. The next step is the transition from the mindset of the Consumer to that of the Owner.
Why Talk About Shares Now? When a child understands that they can be a co-owner of a business, the world around them changes. They no longer just see a product on a shelf, but an effort, a profit and a growth opportunity.
The Activity: Disney’s «Pizza» Shares are an abstract concept. For a child to understand them, they need something visual.
- The Big Pizza: Draw a pizza and say that this represents the entire Disney company.
- The Slices: Explain that the pizza is too expensive for one person to buy. So the company cuts it into millions of tiny pieces — the shares.
- The Little Shareholder: If we buy a piece, we become shareholders. If Disney releases a successful film, our «pizza» becomes more valuable!
Note: The Case of Lego Many parents wonder: «Can I buy Lego shares?». The answer is no, as it is a private company. However, you can direct their interest towards brands they use every day and that are listed on the stock exchange, such as Apple, η McDonald’s ή η Nike.
The Life Lesson By teaching about shares, you teach patience. Investments take time to grow. It is the antidote to the «I want everything now» culture.
Disclaimer
- «I don’t give investment advice — only educational stimulus.»
- «Shares carry risk and their value can fall.» (This is also a wonderful lesson for children!).