110 Hawaii Parent March/April 2026 THE SECRET CHEAT CODE TO TEACHING KIDS MATH: MONEY By Elena Czarnowski I didn’t grow up in a household that openly talked about money. Like many families, finances were discussed only when there was stress—when bills were due, when something couldn’t be afforded, or when tension filled the room. Money felt emotional, reactive, and often confusing. No one sat me down to explain how budgeting worked, why saving mattered, or how everyday decisions added up over time. As a result, money felt mysterious rather than manageable. When I became a parent, I knew I wanted something different for my children. I wanted them to grow up seeing money as a normal part of life, not a source of anxiety. I also wanted them to feel confident with numbers, not intimidated by them. What I discovered along the way—both as a parent and as an educator— is that these two goals are deeply connected. The secret cheat code to teaching kidsmath is money.
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