I rarely use cash, especially since the pandemic encouraged us all to shift even small amounts of spending to contactless cards or mobile phones. In fact, most of my encounters with cash nowadays are when my kids get their weekly pocket money. I’m all for kids embracing and becoming familiar with digital technologies, and that should definitely include managing and using money. Nevertheless, I worry that an understanding of money itself, and, more importantly, the value of money, is harder to teach these days without something tangible, like cash, to tie it back to. 

In the UK, financial literacy education forms part of the National Curriculum, but is mostly only taught in secondary schools (key stages 3 and 4) and, in any case, its implementation is both patchy and does not go far enough. Recent research has found that 61% of young adults did not recall receiving any financial education at school and that around 30 hours of financial education for 11- to 18-year-olds would be the minimum amount needed to achieve financial literacy¹

I firmly believe we need to start much earlier than that. Sure, you need good numeracy skills, but those are just tools, building blocks for a good financial foundation. The earlier you start, the more concepts you can cover. By understanding financial basics early on, children are better equipped to tackle complex financial decisions later in life, from student loans to mortgages. And this all feeds into another one of my “soapbox” topics: entrepreneurship. We should be exposing kids to the concept of enterprise and business early on, and financial literacy is a key component of that. 

Taking Action: Empowering Your Kids 

The good news is, you, as a parent, can play a crucial role in building your child’s financial literacy. Here are some practical steps to get you started, turning everyday moments into money lessons. 

• Involve your child in creating shopping lists and discussing the cost of items. Let them help with budgeting by allocating amounts for different categories, like groceries or treats. 
• Provide opportunities for them to earn pocket money through chores or simple tasks. Guide them on how to divide their earnings, encouraging them to save for a dream toy while putting some aside for future purchases. 
• Board games can be powerful learning tools. Try age-appropriate games like Monopoly Junior or Pay Day that introduce basic financial concepts like buying, selling, and budgeting in a fun way. 

Use your household as an example 

Once you’ve covered the basics, you should introduce financial concepts into everyday conversation by talking about your household finances (in an age-appropriate way). You can discuss household expenses like rent, bills, and groceries to help them understand how money flows in and out of a family. And be open about the concept of work and income. Discuss how earning money allows us to afford things we want and need. This is a step up from pocket money: we want our kids to know that money is an exchange of value, not something that appears “out of nowhere”. 

More resources 

• MoneySavingExpert has a wealth of additional free resources provided by financial institutions and charities, as well as a free-to-download financial education textbook by Martin Lewis himself.  
• MoneyHelper, by the Government’s Money & Pensions Service, has a whole raft of guides for how to talk to kids about money at different ages 
• Books aimed at children, like “The Great Pet Sale” (ages 3-5), “Lift-the-flap Questions and Answers about Money” (ages 6-8) and “The Young Investor: Projects and Activities for Making Your Money Grow” (ages 9-12) cover all sort of financial topics in an age-appropriate way. 

Let us know of any resources or approaches you have found useful in the comments. 

1.  Financial education in schools | House of Lords Library, January 2024 ︎

The post Make your kids ‘Money Smart’ first appeared on Conflicted Parent.

We all know there are some foundational skills that our kids need to learn: maths and English. Or more properly, literacy and numeracy. Not a day goes by in school, especially in KS1 and KS2, that these two aren’t covered and they are essentially what is measured by the assessments (SATs) at the end of each key stage. 

In the Conflicted Parent’s Guide to 21st Century Skills, I wrote about the other basic literacies that our kids are going to need to be successful. One of these is digital (or ICT) literacy. I described it as “The ability to use digital technology, communication tools and/or networks to define, access, manage, integrate, evaluate, create and communicate information effectively and ethically.”

That’s a serious mouthful. What does it actually mean? 

I think of it this way: literacy skills empower us to decode written language, work out the layers of meaning in stories, and express ourselves with words. Numeracy unlocks the world of numbers, calculations, and logical thinking. Digital literacy does something similar to both of these, but in the digital, instead of the analogue world. It’s not just about knowing how to use different devices, but also about understanding the language and the norms in digital land. Digital literacy is essential for children (and adults) to navigate this world safely, to learn how to find and assess information, and how to use it productively and responsibly.

A toolbox for the digital world

What tools and skills do kids need to learn navigate the world online? The Conflicted Parent’s trademarked digital literacy curriculum isn’t (yet) ready, but broadly it breaks down like this: 

• Technical savvy: Knowing how to use devices like computers, tablets, and phones. It’s not just about swiping and clicking, but understanding basic operations, troubleshooting, and becoming comfortable with software programs they will likely encounter as they grow older. 
• Information literacy: This is like learning to read critically. Kids need to be able to evaluate online information, distinguish fact from fiction, and identify reliable sources. In an age of mass disinformation, this is more essential than ever 
• Communication skills: The digital world is all about connections. Children need to learn how to communicate effectively online, whether it’s through email, social media, or video conferencing. Each one of these has its own uses and unwritten rules of etiquette. 
• Problem-solving and creativity: Just like building with LEGO, the digital world offers endless possibilities. Children need the skills to solve technical problems, understand and work with computational tools, and create digital content. 
• Safety and security: Last, but most definitely not least, this is about staying safe online. The digital world can be a jungle, and just like teaching them to cross the street safely, we need to equip our kids with digital safety skills. This includes protecting their privacy, online hygiene, and understanding cyber threats. 

Why does this matter?

Here’s why I think digital literacy is an essential foundational skill, alongside literacy and numeracy, if we want our kids to be ready for the world of tomorrow: 

• Jobs of the future: Studies show that most future jobs will require some level of digital literacy¹. From marketing to healthcare, even construction, technology is woven into almost every career path. Without these skills, our children might be left behind.
• Lifelong learning: To survive and thrive in an ever-changing world, our kids need to be adaptable and constantly assessing and renewing their skillsets. Whether it’s researching information for a school project or upskilling for a new job, digital literacy opens doors to continuous learning².
• Global citizenship: The internet connects us like never before. Understanding different online cultures, respecting diverse viewpoints, and communicating effectively online are essential for being responsible global citizens³. I used to think this would happen naturally as people of different backgrounds started interacting, but it’s clear that the internet can be (mis)used as a tool for division as much as it can help bring us together. 
• Empowerment and independence: Just like reading empowers us to access information and express ourselves, digital literacy gives our children the tools⁴ to navigate the online world confidently and independently.

What you can do about it

If you’ve read this far, then you want to know what you can do, in practical terms, to help your kids to become digitally literate. First off, come to terms with the fact that this will probably be a learning experience for you. I think I’m digitally savvy but when I experience the online world through my kids’ eyes, I realise that there’s lots I don’t know and lots I’ve assumed everyone knows that need to be properly articulated. 

Part of that learning process has been to undertake a bunch of fun STEAM challenges with my kids, many of them online, from writing code to run in the International Space Station to designing a Lunar base using 3D software, all for free. Like Mary Poppins said, if you can find the fun, the job becomes a game. 

At this point in our journey, my kids are young enough that I have been easily able to set boundaries on their digital experience (limiting screen time or access to the internet), and I’ve not yet had to contend with the dreaded spectre of social media. So, I’m going to educate myself and share that with you, and I also invite you to share some of the things you’ve learnt in your own personal journeys.

1. Why ‘digital literacy’ is now a workplace non-negotiable – BBC Worklife ︎
2. Understanding and developing Digital Literacy | World of Better Learning, Cambridge University Press ︎
3. The Digital Literacy Imperative | Center for Strategic & International Studies ︎
4. Insights into young people’s literacy, critical digital literacy, online communication and wellbeing | National Literacy Trust ︎

The post What is Digital Literacy and Why Should You Care?  first appeared on Conflicted Parent.

What are 21^st Century skills?

Many organisations and thought leaders have tried to list what they think are the important skills for the 21^st century. But when you look closely, they’re all talking about the same things: thinking critically, being creative, communicating well, solving problems, working with others, and being able to use and manage information. For the purposes of this blog, the Conflicted Parent is going to use the World Economic Forum’s (WEF) list of 16 critical skills that I mentioned in this post.

The WEF splits these skills into 3 areas: foundational literacies, competencies, and character qualities. 

Foundational Literacies

The basic skills and knowledge you need to understand and engage with the world effectively, like reading and writing

• Literacy: The ability to read, write, speak, and listen in a way that allows us to communicate effectively and make sense of the world. 
• Numeracy: The ability to understand and work with numbers. 
• Scientific Literacy: The ability to understand and use scientific concepts and processes to make informed decisions about the world around us. 
• ICT literacy: The ability to use digital technology, communication tools and/or networks to define, access, manage, integrate, evaluate, create and communicate information effectively and ethically. 
• Financial literacy: The ability to understand and effectively use various financial skills including personal financial management, budgeting and investing. 
• Cultural and Civic Literacy: The ability to understand different cultures and perspective and participate effectively in civic life. 

Competencies

How you approach and handle a specific situation to achieve success 

• Critical thinking: The ability to analyse information, evaluate arguments, and make decisions based on evidence. 
• Creativity: The ability to think outside the box and come up with innovative solutions to problems. 
• Communication: The ability to express oneself clearly and effectively, both verbally and in writing. 
• Collaboration: The ability to work effectively with others, including those from diverse backgrounds and cultures. 

Character Qualities

Personal traits and behaviours that shape how you interact with others and approach situations 

• Curiosity: The desire to learn and explore new things. 
• Initiative: The ability to act and make things happen. 
• Persistence: The ability to persevere in the face of challenges and setbacks. 
• Adaptability: The ability to adjust to new situations and changing circumstances. 
• Leadership: The ability to inspire and guide others towards a common goal. 
• Social and cultural awareness: The ability to understand and appreciate different cultures and perspectives. 

To succeed, we don’t have to be experts in everything, but we do need a balance of foundational literacy, competencies, and character qualities. It’s the mix of these three that really makes the difference. 

How do these skills get applied in the real world?

Let’s illustrate this with some real-world examples: 

Sir David Attenborough has been exploring and documenting the natural world for over 60 years. Grounded in geology and zoology, which he studied at Cambridge, he has leveraged his scientific literacy to produce and present documentaries on natural history and environmental issues, where he uses his excellent communication and critical thinking competencies to explain complex scientific concepts in an engaging and accessible way. Among his character qualities is obviously curiosity: he has never ceased to be fascinated by learning new things that he can then tell us about. What may be less known are his leadership abilities. As controller of BBC2 in the channel’s infancy, he set the standard for “authored documentaries” and was responsible for commissioning programmes as varied as Match of the Day, Monty Python’s Flying Circus and The Money Programme. 

You (and your children) may know Emma Watson primarily from her work on the Harry Potter movies, but she has also exhibited her literacy and cultural and civil literacy skills as an author of books and speeches on gender equality and women’s rights. She needed her communication competency to deliver those speeches at the United Nations and in many interviews. Emma Watson’s character qualities such as initiative and leadership drove her to create the HeForShe movement to promote gender equality. 

Martin Lewis, founder of the MoneySavingExpert.com website has been promoting financial literacy and consumer rights for over 20 years, demonstrating not only his own financial literacy skills but also a healthy set of competencies and qualities including initiative, communication, collaboration and leadership. He explains complex financial concepts in an engaging and accessible way, and founded the Money and Mental Health Policy Institute, which aims to improve the lives of people with mental health problems by promoting financial education and support. 

Success, for these British luminaries, as well as our children, requires a combination of all three areas – foundational literacy, competencies, and character qualities. This is what they need to thrive in an uncertain, complex, and frankly, tough world. 

Convinced? Great, you’re in good company. Globally, there’s a consensus, from UNESCO to the WEF, EU, and the UK government, that new learning approaches are needed to address challenges. However, there’s a problem: ‘there is currently little or no substantial evidence available on the most effective tools and approaches to deliver those skills’.¹

In the meantime, our education systems maintain the status quo – focusing on foundational competencies and standardised assessments. That’s not the right answer for today’s parents who must try to supplement the gaps. 

But here’s where parents can make a difference. In the absence of a globally agreed map, many innovative educators are simply taking action, and you can too! 

Join me on my journey to enrich my children’s education through meaningful family experiences, to prepare them for a future we’re only beginning to understand.

1. 21st Century Skills | Institute of Development Studies ︎

The post A Parent’s Guide to 21st Century Skills first appeared on Conflicted Parent.