A Fun Way to Learn About Money
Teaching kids from 5-10 about money can be tough. They're often more interested in toys and treats than saving for the future.
Two Cents takes a different approach. It's like a game, but with a twist to get kids excited about saving money instead of spending it. The app uses bright colors, playful animations, and fun rewards to keep kids interested.
How does it work?
Set Goals: Kids can create goals, like saving for a new toy or a trip to the zoo.
Accumulate Points: By completing daily tasks, like doing chores or learning financial lessons, kids earn points.
Redeem Rewards: Points can be redeemed for virtual currency, which can be exchanged for real money by parents.
Although Two Cents is fun to play, it also teaches valuable life skills. Kids learn about budgeting, saving, and goal setting. It's a great way to prepare them for their financial future.
Designing TwoCents
Several financial literacy apps for kids exist but, they often face the following limitations:
Overly simplistic: Some apps may focus too heavily on basic concepts without providing enough depth for older children or real-world applications.
Lack of engagement: Some apps may struggle to maintain children's interest over time, leading to decreased usage.
Ideation and design decisions
Given the widespread familiarity of apps like UNO, Duolingo, and Candy Crush among young children, I decided to draw inspiration from their successful design elements. This approach would make the financial literacy app more accessible and engaging for the target audience.
To motivate children to learn and use the app, I incorporated gamification elements such as points, gems, and rewards. These rewards could be redeemed for pseudocurrency (coins) that could later be exchanged for real money by their parents. This system would encourage children to actively participate in the app and feel a sense of accomplishment as they progress.
