How Should Children Learn to Shop? Temper the Hype With a Reality Check Annie Leonard, author and activist Be sure kids know that stuff doesn't make us happy, that manufacturing produces pollution and that many products are made by exploited workers. Start With Toddlers: Share, Save and Spend John Lanza, Snigglezoo Entertainment We know that our children will grow up to be consumers. As parents, we should try to help them be smart consumers. Teach Children Not to Consume Michelle Singletary, author, "The Power to Prosper" I'm teaching my children to treat shopping as a chore: We shop because we have to, not because it's fun. Marketing Teaches "Buy." Parents Teach "Give." Susan Price, author, "The Giving Family" Long before we teach savvy shopping, we should start coaching kids on giving. How early? As soon as a child says the word "mine." The Main Lesson Is to Defer Gratification Lewis Mandell, finance professor, SUNY-Buffalo Young children can't understand saving for the future, but good saving habits can be encouraged in other ways, like meeting parental expectations. Consumption Is the Last Thing Children Need to Learn Susan Linn, Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood Children need opportunities to find joy and meaning in what can't be bought, like friendship, creativity, love and the natural world.