A new generation of financially savvy children is emerging across India, with kids as young as nine years old discussing inflation, stock markets, and mutual funds. This shift is being driven by formal financial education in schools and engaging edtech platforms that are transforming money management into an exciting learning experience.
The New Classroom: Financial Literacy in Schools
The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has introduced a comprehensive financial literacy curriculum from the sixth standard, teaching concepts like budgeting, investment options, needs versus wants, and understanding inflation. Classroom-based learning with trained teachers is helping children grasp complex financial concepts from an early age.
Meanwhile, edtech companies like BrightChamps, Beyond Skool, and Finstart are complementing school education by turning financial lessons into interactive games and simulations. These platforms use storytelling and gaming activities to explain everything from cryptocurrency and neo banks to payment frauds and financial scams.
Real-Life Impact: Children Applying Financial Knowledge
The results of this financial education are visible in households across the country. Eleven-year-old Inaya advises her grandmother about escaping the "inflation villain" and looking beyond fixed deposits. Nine-year-old Anika questions her father about profits on stocks she owns after learning about market volatility.
In Faridabad, 12-year-old twins Ishaan and Vihaan diligently track their mutual fund statements after discovering they could start investing with as little as ₹250. Their kitty has grown to ₹11,000, prompting them to skip toy purchases and instead give money to their mother for further investment.
Gurugram-based Amit Gupta shares how his 13-year-old son Aarav, inspired by school sessions on stocks, now persuades the family to choose cheaper dining options and has started building games to earn subscription money that he then invests.
From Spenders to Savers: Changing Money Mindsets
Financial experts emphasize that childhood is the ideal time to build healthy money relationships. Chitra Sharma, whose son attended private financial literacy classes, notes that financial responsibility is best taught early, before children associate money solely with spending.
This early education is transforming spending habits. Ahmedabad-based Parini Patel's daughter Anika has transitioned from being a spender to a saver, with her piggy bank growing substantially over two years. Fourteen-year-old Hritvi, after tracking family travel expenses, suggested opting for Goa instead of the Maldives for holidays.
Ten-year-old Samaira not only distinguishes between needs and wants but has also convinced her six-year-old sibling to skip toy purchases and save for something better.
The Parental Role in Financial Education
While schools and edtech platforms are driving this change, parents play a crucial role in reinforcing these lessons. Dilshad Billimoria of Dilzer Consultants warns that if parents are spendthrift, children might still succumb to peer pressure despite their financial education.
Interestingly, many parents are now playing catch-up with their children's financial knowledge. Priyamvada Ghia of Finstart Services LLP reveals that several parents request sessions to match what their kids are learning. In one instance, a child checking share prices for a school worksheet discovered his father's company listed in the app and excitedly shared the stock price at home.
The combination of formal education, engaging edtech platforms, and parental involvement is creating a generation of financially aware young Indians who are not just saving but actively growing their money and making informed financial decisions from an early age.
