Needs are things people must have to survive and stay healthy — like food, water, shelter, and clothing. Wants are things people would like to have but can live without — like toys, video games, and candy. Understanding the difference between needs and wants helps people make good choices about how to use their money and resources.
Sort picture cards into two piles: needs and wants. Discuss tricky items that could be both (a basic coat is a need; a fancy designer coat is a want). Have children plan a pretend shopping trip with a limited budget and decide what to buy first. Read stories about characters who must choose between needs and wants.
Every day, you use and consume many different things. Some of those things you absolutely need — without them, you could get sick or even die. Other things you want — they make life more fun or comfortable, but you would survive without them. Learning to tell the difference between needs and wants is one of the most important life skills you can develop.
Needs are the things every person must have to stay alive and healthy. The four basic needs are food (healthy meals that give your body energy), water (clean water to drink), shelter (a safe place to live that protects you from weather and danger), and clothing (something to wear that keeps you warm and protected). You might also add things like medical care (going to a doctor when you are sick) and education (learning skills you need for life).
Wants are everything else — things that are nice to have but not necessary for survival. Toys, video games, candy, fancy clothes, and trips to amusement parks are all wants. There is nothing wrong with wanting things. Wants make life enjoyable. The important thing is knowing that wants should come after needs are met.
Here is where it gets tricky: some things can be both a need and a want depending on the situation. You need food, but do you need a giant ice cream sundae? You need clothes, but do you need the most expensive shoes in the store? The basic version meets your need, while the fancy version is more of a want. Learning to make this distinction helps you spend money wisely. When your family goes to the grocery store, the healthy food that fills the cart is meeting a need. The bag of cookies tossed in at the end is satisfying a want. Both are fine — as long as the needs come first.
Topics in reflective domains aren't scored by quiz answers. Read, reflect, and mark when you've thought it through.