Teach Your Child to Write a Check

When you have so much on your plate as a parent, being your child’s personal taxi, chef and maid, CEO of the household, and then if you carry a full time job on your own (phew!), who thinks about teaching their children how to write a check?

It’s a long shot to find a parent who has, but that is what this series is here for, to aid parents in finding the subjects that children can quickly learn and that will help them in their future growth. Writing a check for the first time can be a little challenging for adults, imagine what it is like for a child.

Teaching a child to write a check is much simpler then you think, by using these simple steps that we have provided for you below.

Grades K-3rd
For younger children you can make a large replica of a check. Take a piece of scrap paper or print out the check provided here, make it a fun picture so they’ll enjoy filling it in.

Show them step-by-step what each line is used for, and how to fill it out. This may take a little time and patience with younger children. They also need to understand that your checkbook is not a toy and each check used costs you money, but if you have extra checkbooks from an old account you can give them those to practice with.

Main points to address:

• Take your time showing what each line is used for.
• Be patient as the concept may take time.
• Make large replica checks, with designer backgrounds to make it fun for children to fill out.

Grades 4th-6th
You will have a much easier time teaching older elementary school students how to make out a check. For the next few weeks bring your child along with you to store visits and have them watch you as you write your checks. Be sure to explain every step you take while you are writing, “This is where the name of the store goes, here is where we write out the total purchase price, here is where I sign and date the check. EYou can have most of the check filled out before you get to the cashier so customers behind you are not waiting as you explain this to your child.

The simple task of sitting down with your youngster after a few trips to the store to have them fill out a check on their own will be the follow up they need to write one on their own. Be right there with them as they fill out a replica check.

Main points to address:

• Have them pay attention each time you write a check at the store.
• Make an extra effort to write checks when your child is with you.
• Make copies of your checks or make replica checks that your children can use to practice with.

Resources
Resources that can help you in your venture include:

• The Money Instructor – http://www.moneyinstructor.com
• All Things Frugal – http://www.allthingsfrugal.com

Posted in Education.

Related articles

• Teach Your Child About the Solar System

• Teach Your Child About Oceans and Ocean Life

• Teach Your Child the Basics of Music