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Understanding the difference between things we must have to survive and things we would like to have.
Imagine you are going on a big adventure to the moon! You only have room in your backpack for things that keep you safe and healthy. Would you pack a space suit or a bag of lollipops?
A need is something you must have to stay alive and healthy. Without needs, our bodies cannot grow or stay strong. There are four main things that almost every human needs: food, water, shelter (a place to live), and clothing to keep us warm. Think of needs as your 'survival kit.' Just like a fish needs water to swim, you need these things to live your best life every day!
Imagine you are on an island. You can only pick one item to help you survive: 1. A shiny gold crown 2. A large bottle of clean water
Since your body requires hydration to function, the water is the correct choice because it is a need.
Quick Check
If you are very hungry, is a healthy sandwich a need or a want?
Answer
It is a need because your body requires food to have energy and stay alive.
A want is something that is nice to have, but you can live without it. Wants make life more fun or exciting, but they don't keep you healthy or safe. Examples of wants are toys, video games, candy, and jewelry. Even though you might really feel like you need a new toy, your body will be perfectly fine without it! We usually get our wants only after our needs are taken care of.
Look at this list and decide which are wants: 1. A new bicycle for racing friends. 2. A pair of warm boots for the snow. 3. A chocolate cupcake with sprinkles.
Items 1 and 3 are wants because they are for fun or treats. Item 2 is a need because it protects your feet from the cold.
Quick Check
Is a brand new stuffed animal a need or a want?
Answer
It is a want because you can be healthy and safe without it.
Sometimes we have to choose between a need and a want because we have a limited amount of money. In economics, we learn to pay for our needs first. Imagine you have $\$10$. If you spend it all on a toy, you might not have enough left for a healthy lunch. We use math to help us decide! We always subtract the cost of our needs from our total money first to see what is left for wants.
You have $\$10\.
2. A carton of milk (Need) costs $\$3\.
$\$5\ left (), you should buy the needs and save your money for the want later!Which of these is a basic human NEED?
Why is a video game considered a WANT?
A house (shelter) is a want because some people like big houses.
Review Tomorrow
In 24 hours, look around your kitchen. Can you find 3 things that are needs and 1 thing that is a want?
Practice Activity
The next time you are at a store, play 'Need or Want' with a grown-up. Point to an item and explain why it fits in that category!