In recent years, one might probably hear the terms cryptocurrency and Forex more times than ever before. That is because they are some of the most powerful ways people save and grow money in modern times. Even with their versatility, a great number of people still do not understand how they work or what they are really about. If this is the case with adults, what about kids? Should they be taught crypto and Forex in schools the same way they are taught maths and other subjects?
First off, I am a big advocate of letting kids know important things from a tender age. It helps to shape their minds as they grow in the real world. And in the real world, money is one of the things that holds control and power. One needs to understand its power and how it works to be able to succeed. This is why I think letting kids in on the subject early will help shape them better. Come to think of it, almost everyone had their mum teach them how to save money at a young age. When visitors drop little tips, most mothers will make their kids put it into a savings box, a piggy vest, or whatever form of savings they used. My mum would even tell me what I should buy with my money, things that would last, not just spending on snacks and junk. That was low-key teaching us how to manage our finances.
Now, what if teachers could subtly also teach kids how to do this in a modern way? It’s not about teaching them how to trade coins or read charts. It’s about helping them understand the concept of the many ways money is being managed today. A ten-year-old might not need to start thinking about profits and market charts, but they need to understand the value money holds in the most basic way, without it taking attention away from other academic subjects. Most adults today just jump into the waters of crypto and Forex without weighing how deep or fast they can drown. And then come the painful losses, driven by bad financial advice from people who barely understand the subject themselves. This is where learning the hard way comes in.
While kids are naturally curious, teachers should know when to introduce the subject and how to do it. It’s all about basic knowledge. Some topics we covered during our school years started as simple, fun subjects in middle school. As we grew and moved to higher academic levels, those same topics were revisited with more complex branches. The point is, crypto and Forex shouldn’t be taught all at once. With gradual progression of knowledge, kids will eventually grow to be savvy.
Although having this knowledge might not guarantee making the best investment decisions, since even adults who seem like pros still make financial mistakes, the knowledge will serve as a guide. Early exposure can become a solid foundation for long-term financial choices. It also means they won’t feel intimidated when they eventually start hearing about investments. Making it a regular topic at levels their understanding permits will help them avoid approaching investing with fear. The goal should be understanding, not teaching them that crypto is the new oil or selling get-rich-quick ideas. Those shouldn’t be part of the conversation yet. Rather, being informed as they grow will serve them well when they finally reach the stage of handling money independently.