Many things were money. People agreed they were worth something.
Many things have been money. Nia's market took cowrie shells, and Tobo swapped a block of salt for a string of beads.
A good money is small, easy to carry, and it lasts. A cowrie does not rot or rust.
A fresh fish goes off and an ice cube melts, so they cannot be saved.
Money is something everyone agrees to accept. Not every place used the same thing.
These are some of the questions on the sets. The printable sheets have more and an answer key.
7. 5 + 2 = 7.
A shell. A shell is small and lasts. Ice melts.
4. 6 − 2 = 4.
Everyone at that market knew what a shell was worth. Money works when everyone agrees to accept it.
With a grown-up, talk about what small things children swap today, like stickers or cards. Why does everyone want them?
Money works because everyone agrees on it. Ask your child what a group of children could use as money, and what would make a bad money.
