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How to teach kids delayed gratification. Show them the power of patience with this fun guide to delayed gratification, money habits, and a free savings tracker
From instant downloads to next-hour deliveries, today’s world runs on speed. We can get what we want, when we want it. But when it comes to raising financially savvy kids, the real skill to nurture is waiting.
Helping children learn to pause, plan, and work toward something they want might be one of the most powerful money lessons we can give them.
And no, delayed gratification isn’t just about saying no. It’s about discovering that “later” can actually be greater.
Remember the Stanford Marshmallow Experiment? Kids were offered one marshmallow now or two if they waited. The children who waited didn’t just get more marshmallows — they went on to show stronger academic results, higher earnings, and even better relationships later in life.
That study might be decades old, but the principle still holds: kids who can delay gratification tend to thrive.
And here’s the good news — it’s not just a built-in personality trait. The ability to wait and work toward a goal is a skill that can be taught, nurtured, and practiced over time.
Takeaway: Waiting is a skill, and it grows with practice.
Hot Topic: A powerful conversation point in the waiting game is how to teach kids the difference between needs and wants.
Even small routines, like setting aside a bit of pocket money before spending, help kids build real financial discipline. When saving becomes a habit, it strengthens patience and self-control.
Research backs it up: children who save regularly, even in tiny amounts, are more likely to become confident, consistent savers as adults.
It’s about more than just the money: it’s about creating a sense of ownership, building confidence, and making the eventual reward feel earned and worth the wait.
Takeaway: Habits beat willpower, especially when it comes to money.
Learn how to teach kids to save.
Let’s be honest here… The idea of saving up for something can feel pretty abstract to a child.
That’s why visual tools are so powerful. A savings tracker turns waiting into something visible. Kids can see their progress, celebrate the little milestones, and feel their goal coming closer with every step.
Research shows that when kids can see how far they’ve come toward a goal, they’re more likely to stick with it, and those who save regularly are significantly more likely to become adult savers.
Takeaway: When kids can see the goal, they’re more likely to reach it.
You might also like: How to teach kids to compare prices.
Want your kids to get excited about saving? This week’s free resource turns it into a fun, visual activity they’ll actually enjoy.
Our printable Savings Tracker helps kids break down a goal, see their progress, and stay motivated. It’s perfect for saving toward a toy, a treat, or even something big and dreamy.
Here’s what’s inside:
• Page 1: An example savings goal, broken down step-by-step
• Page 2: A blank tracker in English, ready for your child to personalise
• Page 3: A bonus version in Afrikaans for dual-language homes
All they need to do is write down what they’re saving for, track how much it costs, and colour in the progress bar each time they add to their savings. It’s a daily visual reminder that they’re getting closer. One powerful step at a time.
