Teachers and Parents INVESTING 101

Planting the Seeds of Financial Confidence

Ages 5 to 7:

Money Buddies

Curiosity Stage: Learning That Money Can Grow

At this age, investing is about introducing the idea that money isn't just for spending—it can grow like a plant when nurtured.

No complex jargon. Just simple, playful storytelling.

Key Concepts:

• What is Investing?
  A friendly explanation: “It’s like planting a magic seed. You wait, you water, and one day it becomes more than you started with.”

• Risk vs. Reward (Simplified)
  Some seeds grow tall. Others don’t. That’s OK. It’s all part of learning.

• Activity Idea:
  🌱 The Money Tree Drawing Game – Kids draw what they’d plant if they could grow money, and how they’d use it for good.

• Support Tool:
  🎥 Animated Explainer — “Ozzy the Koala and the Magic Coin Tree” (coming soon to your classroom or living room).

✨ Teaching Tip: Focus on the concept of patience, and the joy of seeing things grow over time.

🦘 Ages 8–12: Smart Spenders

Exploration Stage: Understanding How Investments Work

This is the sweet spot for hands-on learning.

Kids can grasp cause and effect, experiment with ideas, and start understanding why people invest.

Key Concepts:



• What is Investing?
  A tool to grow money over time by putting it into something valuable—like a company, a house, or even an idea.

• Risk vs. Reward
  Higher risk may bring higher reward—but not always. Learning to balance is key.

• Types of Investments:
• 📊 Shares (stocks)
• 🏠 Real estate
• 💡 Starting a business
• 🏦 Term deposits

• How the Stock Market Works:
  Think of it as a giant online marketplace where you can buy and sell tiny pieces of companies.

• Interactive Learning:
  🎲 Mock Portfolio Game – Kids pick companies they love (like LEGO, Apple, or Qantas), “invest” pretend dollars, and track performance over time.

• Support Tool:
  🧩 Printable Investment Tracker – Great for maths lessons or home learning.

✨ Teaching Tip: Use familiar brands to make investing relatable. The goal isn’t to predict winners—it's to understand the process

🦉 Ages 13–17: Future Investors

Building Real Skills for a Financial Future

Ready for the next step?

It's time to learn how real investors think, make decisions, and take calculated risks.

• Investing Defined:
  Using your money to buy assets (like stocks, ETFs, or property) that can grow in value or pay you back (dividends/rent).

• Understand the Risk vs. Reward Trade-Off
  Conservative vs. bold investments
  Diversification (not putting all your eggs in one basket)
  Market trends and timing

• Explore Investment Types:
  📊 Stocks & ETFs
  🏠 Property
  🪙 Cryptocurrency
  📈 Superannuation
  👩‍🎓 Education as an investment!

• How the Stock Market Really Works
  Learn about the ASX (Australian Securities Exchange), what influences stock prices, and how to read a basic stock chart.

• Hands-On Practice:
  Create a mock portfolio, track progress over time, and reflect on your “investor personality.”

• Interactive Tool:
  🕹️ Teen Investor Simulator – Pick shares, see how they perform, and build confidence with zero real-life risk.

🎒 Resources for the Classroom & Home

📺 Animated explainers tailored by age group

📂 Downloadable trackers and journals

🎮 Mock investing games and printable worksheets

🧩 Real-world examples and conversation starters

💬 Why it Matters

Investing is more than a financial concept—it’s a mindset.

It teaches patience, planning, critical thinking, and resilience.

By starting early, kids and teens can develop not only financial confidence but also the emotional intelligence to make smart, values-aligned decisions with their money.