This resource was created as a supplement for the Language Builder: ARIS® Academic Readiness Intervention System complete early autism curriculum, Lesson #198, Matching Money, Lesson #199, Matching Individual Currency to Numeric Values, Lesson #200, Receptive Money, Lesson #201, Expressive Money and Lesson 202, Addition With Money. Download a free copy of lesson 198, lesson 199, lesson 200, lesson 201, and lesson 202, and learn more about ARIS here.
Learning how to use money is an essential life skill. As adults, we don’t often stop and think about how being able to use money allows us to access independence. But it does! It allows us to buy things we like, pay for daily living necessities, and be financially responsible to achieve higher-level goals. For children, we want to teach them to be able to identify varied values of money, match similar types of money, as well as add and subtract money in order to also become more independent as they age. Being able to successfully use money allows someone to have greater independence in daily living skills which will support them in their home lives, employment, and community.
According to Bennett & Dukes (2014), autistic adolescents need to be taught daily living skills (e.g. money management, leisure skills, caring for personal health, etc.) which can directly increase independence and quality of life. It can be argued that the benefits to someone who knows how to identify and use money are limitless. The greatest benefit is allowing someone to be more independent.
The ARIS curriculum provides a framework for teaching autistic children how to use money. Some programs within the curriculum about money are:
- Matching Money
- Matching individual currency to numeric values
- Receptive money
- Expressive money
- Addition with money
For young children, we can start to expose them to money and how it’s used through books. By using the ARIS lessons you can pair these books with the concepts within the lesson.
Here is a list of my 10 favorite children’s books about matching, adding, matching numeric values, and receptive and expressive money identification.
1. Money Math: Addition and Subtraction, by David Alder
In this fun, engaging kids’ book, past presidents are used to help teach the concept of currency usage with addition and subtraction. You'll learn who's on each coin and bill, what they're worth -- and how many of one it takes to add up to another. Dollars, cents, and decimals are explained in accessible, kid-friendly language, with tons of examples and try-it-yourself problems and activities.
2. Lemonade in Winter: A Book About Two Kids Counting, by Emily Jenkins
What an excellent book for learning addition with money! Pauline and John want to sell lemonade and limeade. This book details how the kids sell their tasty drinks and make money along the way.
3. Arthur’s Funny Money, by Lillian Hoban
Arthur and his funny sister Violet go on a quest to earn enough money for a t-shirt and a cap. The book will highlight the value of money, addition, as well as receptive currency identification.
4. If You Made a Million, by David Swartz (Author) and Steven Kellogg (Illustrator)
Marvelosissimo the Mathematical Magician is ready, willing, and able to explain the nuts and bolts -- as well as the mystery and wonder -- of earning money, investing it, accruing dividends and interest, and watching savings grow. This book is excellent for expressive and receptive money identification.
5. Alexander Who Used to be Rich Last Sunday, by Judith Viorst
Alexander experiences an array of emotions due to gaining a dollar on Sunday and then watching it quickly disappear…. This book will allow a learner to understand the emotional highs and lows of money as well as matching money to its’ numeric value.
6. The Coin Counting Book, by Rozanna Lanczek Williams
This rhyming book about money will display actual money and its numeric value. It would pair great with the matching individual currency to its numeric value lesson. It has a color background and will keep any kiddo engaged.
7. Little Critter: Just Saving My Money, by Mercer Mayer
Kids love watching Little Critter learn and grow. In this story, Little Critter learns how to save money. He wants a skateboard and needs to save his money and work hard in order to buy one. If you’re using the expressive money program, this would be a great supplemental book.
8. A Boy, A Budget, A Dream, by: Jasmine Paul (Author) and Jose Neito (Illustrator)
Kass and Joey are brother and sister and they learn the value of spending and saving money. They each have different goals and this book helps them understand financial literacy.
9. One Cent, Two-Cent, Old Cent, New Cent, by Bonnie Wright
Cat and the Hat takes kids on a journey of learning the history of money and the concept of bartering. In addition, he explains how various cultures use money and how best to use your change. The concept of matching money is seen within this book and would be a great supplement for any money lesson.
10. Bunny Money, by Rosemary Wells
Max and Ruby want to buy their grandmother a wonderful birthday gift. The problem is they want two different gifts! Max and Ruby learn early math skills as they explore how to buy their grandmother her gifts. All money lessons would benefit from this book.
What are some of your favorite children’s books for teaching math and money skills?
Bennett, K. D., & Dukes, C. (2014). A systematic review of teaching daily living skills to adolescents and adults with autism spectrum disorder. Review Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 1(1), 2-10.
This resource was created as a supplement for the Language Builder: ARIS complete early autism curriculum, Lesson #198, Matching Money, Lesson #199, Matching Individual Currency to Numeric Values, Lesson #200, Receptive Money, Lesson #201, Expressive Money and Lesson 202, Addition With Money. Download a free copy of lesson 198, lesson 199, lesson 200, lesson 201, and lesson 202, and learn more about ARIS here.
