The students of group 8D at Het Tangram primary school in Nesselande are already ready when teacher Karin enters the classroom. They are clearly excited. I find the lessons about money really fun, says a girl. You watch videos, you can join in the conversation, and do fun assignments.

Create Your Own Advertisement

Teacher Karin is Karin de Bruin, one of the two educators at Geldplein* of the Municipality of Rotterdam. This week is the national Week of Money** and she is teaching about debts. But first, the students present their homework assignment from last time. They were allowed to create their own advertisement. It could be about anything.

Catchy Tune

I notice that you paid a lot of attention last time, says Karin to two girls standing in front of the class. They just showed their homemade commercial video. They promote an app where you can record your own music. They appear in the video dancing and singing enthusiastically. A catchy tune is indeed the way to tempt you to buy something, says Karin. Because a good tune sticks.

Young Entrepreneur

The next student is eager to show her assignment. This young entrepreneur promotes her own webshop where she sells her handmade jewelry. She has made a flashy presentation about it. Moreover, business can be done immediately, as she has set up a cardboard board on the table with earrings, bracelets, and shoe charms hanging on it. The latter are charms you can lace onto your shoelaces. The prices are conveniently displayed. This presentation also receives praise from Karin. The remark a new collection every season works very well to encourage people to buy something, she says.

Afterpay

After some more self-created commercials for juicy sour mats, Pringles, and Wollys Lollys, Karin wants to move on to the topic of debts. The students can explain very well what those are. If you borrow money from someone, borrowing money to buy a house, paying later. They know it off the top of their heads. Karin explains that you should think carefully before buying something. You should have money first before you spend it. So its better not to use services like Klarna and Afterpay, where you place an order but dont have to pay for a while. The children agree that its better not to use them.

Advance Payment

Karin then shows a video in which young Ella tells that her parents advanced her money so she could buy a skateboard. To repay that debt, she wont receive pocket money for four weeks. I often ask my parents if they want to advance me money, says a girl in the back of the class. For example, if I want New Balance shoes and havent saved enough yet. Or if I want to buy candy and my pocket money is just gone, says another girl. But it also often happens the other way around, says the girl with the New Balance shoes. Sometimes my dad needs cash for the snack bar, then he asks if he can borrow money from me. He has to pay it back quickly, of course, otherwise I wont lend it to him.

Menu for 10 Euros

The children always participate enthusiastically in the lessons, says Karin. Thats also what makes this work so much fun. The students of group 8 receive four lessons. Each lesson has its own theme, such as pocket money, advertising, and debts. The next, and also last, lesson is about budgeting. How much money do you have in the coming period and what are you going to spend it on? They must, among other things, put together a menu for four people for 10 euros. And it must also be healthy. They also have to calculate how much a day at Efteling for the whole family costs. And that doesnt just mean the entrance, because theres much more to consider than just the entrance tickets.

Completely Renewed

The municipality now provides money lessons at 60 primary schools in Rotterdam. They are free, and if schools want, the educators also give a workshop to parents about managing money. The lesson booklet has recently been completely renewed. The design has been adapted to the present time, and the booklet also received a new name: Think Carefully About What You Do With Your Euro! In addition to groups 7 and 8 of primary school, the educators of Geldplein also provide money lessons at, among others, mbo and hbo, in community centers, and in transition classes.

More Information

The lesson method Think Carefully About What You Do With Your Euro! was developed by the Municipality of Rotterdam, is independent and not sponsored. The lessons are scheduled in consultation with the school. This way, the lessons align with the regular educational program. More information can be found on the page Lesson Package Think Carefully About What You Do With Your Euro.

*Geldplein is the new department within Social Development where the Credit Bank Rotterdam and the Grip on Money Matters team have been integrated since January 1 this year.

**From March 24 to 28, it is the national Week of Money. This week, children and young people across the country learn how to handle money wisely. The theme in 2025 is How do you make your money dreams come true? How do you handle your money wisely so that you can make your dreams come true?