Barter swaps goods for goods. Coins make trading easy for everyone.
Long ago there were no coins at all. People swapped, which means handing over one thing and getting another.
Swapping goods for goods is called barter.
Barter only works when each person wants what the other has.
A coin is worth the same to everyone, so everyone takes it. That makes trading easy.
These are some of the questions on the sets. The printable sheets have more and an answer key.
Barter. Swapping goods for goods is barter.
He wanted eggs, and Ben had none. Barter needs each person to want what the other has.
A coin. A coin is worth the same to everyone, so everyone takes it.
No. A coin is money. Barter swaps goods for goods.
With a grown-up, think of something you could swap with a friend, like a sticker for a sticker.
Ask your child what they have swapped with a friend, like stickers or cards. Did both children want what the other had? Talk about why one money that everyone takes makes trading easier.
