Money might seem like a topic for older children, but preschoolers are ready to start learning — as long as the approach matches their stage. At ages 3–5, children aren’t ready for addition and subtraction with coins. But they are ready for something just as important: building the foundations.
What Preschoolers Can Learn About Money
At this age, the goal isn’t calculation. It’s awareness:
- Coins exist and have names — “That’s a pound coin. That’s a 50p.”
- Different coins look different — Size, colour, shape, and the numbers on them
- Money is used in shops — You give coins, you get things
- Numbers appear on prices — “This apple has 99 on it”
- Different things cost different amounts — A cake costs more than a cookie
These concepts form the bedrock for later money maths. Without them, addition and subtraction with money will feel abstract and disconnected.
How myplayshop Works for Preschoolers
myplayshop isn’t specifically a preschool app — it’s designed for ages 4–10. But its design naturally supports younger players:
Choosing a shop is fun in itself. Preschoolers enjoy the decision: “I want to run the bakery!” or “I want the ice cream shop!” The choice gives them ownership.
Scanning items is tactile and rewarding. Tapping each item to scan it, watching it appear on the register, and hearing the sound effect — this loop is engaging even without understanding the maths.
Coins and notes are visual. The realistic coin designs introduce real-world money in a safe, explorable way.
There’s no fail state. Preschoolers can tap, explore, and experiment without worrying about getting something wrong. If the change isn’t right, they simply try again.
Tips for Parents of Preschoolers
Sit together
At ages 3–5, this works best as a shared activity. You’re not teaching — you’re playing alongside and narrating:
- “Ooh, the milk costs one pound forty-nine!”
- “Look, the customer gave us a big silver coin — that’s a £2 coin!”
- “Shall we give them some change? Let’s try this coin.”
Use the bakery or ice cream shop
These shops have the simplest prices and shortest transactions. Perfect for short attention spans.
Keep it short
5–10 minutes is ideal. Preschoolers learn through repetition across many short sessions, not marathon play.
Don’t worry about accuracy
Your preschooler doesn’t need to give correct change. The learning at this age is:
- Coins have value
- Shops use money
- Numbers appear on prices
- The game is fun
Accuracy comes later. Foundation-building comes first.
Connect to real life
- Point out coins in your wallet: “Look, here’s a coin like the one in your shop!”
- At the supermarket: “The cashier is doing the same thing you do in your game”
- With a piggy bank: “Let’s put some coins in and count them”
What Comes Next
Around ages 5–6, your child will naturally start paying attention to the numbers. They’ll notice that scanning more items makes the total bigger. They’ll start trying to match coins to prices. That’s when myplayshop’s full experience kicks in — and the foundation you’ve built during preschool play makes everything click faster.