Little ones (3–6 years)
Good habits before cash
Sofía (5) — Laura's family
Laura creates the wallet "Sofía's Stars". She configures: 5 stars → 10 coins, 3 warnings → remove 5 coins. On Saturday, Sofía helps set the table (+1 star). On Sunday she reaches 5 stars and watches 10 coins appear in her wallet. They trade 10 coins for an extra 30 minutes of cartoons (ratio: 10 coins = 30 min screen time).
Key moment: The "aha" moment: seeing coins appear after earning stars.
Key features for this stage
| Feature | Why this age | Example setup |
|---|---|---|
| Star rewards | Positive reinforcement kids can see | 1 star = helping pick up toys |
| Warnings | Limits without physical punishment | 1 warning = pushing a sibling |
| Manual deposits | Celebrate birthdays and milestones | +10 coins on her birthday |
| Coin-to-prize ratio | No real cash needed yet | 10 coins = 30 min screen time |
Other age stages
Start with stars — no cash needed
FAQ
Does my preschooler need real money?
No. At this stage, coins represent effort and rewards — you define what they mean (screen time, treats, stickers).
What are warnings for?
Warnings track consequences for agreed behaviors. When a threshold is reached, coins are deducted automatically — a calm, predictable consequence.
Can I use only stars without coins?
Stars convert to coins at thresholds you set. You can keep ratios simple (5 stars = 10 coins) until your child is ready for more.