First grade is where money maths gets real. Children move from recognising coins to actually using them — counting up to find a total, comparing prices, and beginning to understand what change is.
The challenge for first graders is bridging the gap between knowing what a coin is worth and using that knowledge to solve problems. myplayshop bridges that gap through play.
What First Graders Are Learning
The leap from kindergarten to first grade in money skills is significant:
| Kindergarten | First Grade |
|---|---|
| Recognise coins by sight | Know the value of each coin |
| Count identical coins | Count mixed groups of coins |
| Understand “costs money” | Add two or three small prices |
| Sort coins | Compare prices (more/less) |
| — | Begin making simple change |
myplayshop supports this progression. First graders who’ve been scanning items for fun in kindergarten are now ready to pay attention to the totals and start handling money.
First Grade Skills in myplayshop
Coin Counting
Every transaction involves counting coins. When a customer pays, your child sees the individual coins and counts them up. Over many transactions, this becomes automatic.
Addition With Money
Scanning two items and watching the total is addition in action: $1.50 + $0.75 = $2.25. The register shows the running total, so children can check their mental maths.
Simple Change-Making
A customer pays $5 for a $4 purchase. The change is $1 — one coin. This is the simplest form of change-making, and it’s where first graders start.
Comparing Prices
“The cake costs more than the cookie.” “The most expensive thing in the bakery is $3.50.” These comparisons happen naturally as children browse the products.
Recommended Shops for First Graders
Best to start: Bakery or ice cream shop — small prices, simple totals, short transactions.
Ready for more: Supermarket — more items, moderate prices, longer transactions.
Challenge: Flower shop — mid-range prices that push addition skills without being overwhelming.
A First Grade Session
A typical 10–15 minute session might look like:
- Open the bakery
- Serve 4–6 customers
- Each transaction practises adding 2–3 prices and (sometimes) giving simple change
- Review the End of Day Report
- “I served 5 customers and earned $18.50!”
That’s 4–6 rounds of real maths practice, done willingly because it’s fun.
For Parents: Supporting First Grade Money Skills
- Ask maths questions while they play: “How much is the cupcake and the bread together?”
- Extend to real life: “Remember the bakery in your game? These real muffins cost $2.50 each — how much for two?”
- Celebrate progress: “Last week you needed help with change. Today you did it yourself!”
- Keep it regular: 10 minutes a few times a week beats 45 minutes once
For First Grade Teachers
myplayshop is ideal for:
- Maths centres — Independent or paired activity requiring no setup
- Early finishers — Productive practice for students who complete other work early
- Homework — Share the link; parents don’t need to buy or install anything
- Assessment — Observe which students handle change confidently and which need support