An important item within most role play is money and it can help children of all ages with maths. The notes and coins are really useful for children during this kind of play and will last a long time as children will vary the uses to meet their needs as they get older.

The notes and coins are in both Sterling and Euros and are similar to real money in look and size but not the same. It contains an assortment of all UK / Euro coins and notes (1p, 2p, 5p, 10p, 20p, 50p, £1 coin, £2 coin, £5, £10, £20 and £50) Unfortunately in Guernsey, where I live, we have our own notes and coins one of which is a £1 note. As UK no longer has these the children cannot see these as a note and have to use a coin instead. A cheque book and credit card is also included.

The play money can be used to help children learn and develop in the areas of the EYFS (Early Years Foundation Stage):

Physical Development:
Young children will use fine manipulative skills to pick up the small notes and coins.

Personal, Social and Emotional Development:
With the simplicity of the toy children will come up with endless rules and activities which they will share with their friends and gain social skills.

Communication and Language:
Children will listen to other ideas from children and make their own discussions to do with their play. Often using money in a shop prompts one child to list what they need and the other to make a ridiculously high price as they don't understand the value of the money.

Literacy:
Children will learn to recognize what the words and numbers are on the notes and coins.

Mathematics:
Children may learn to recognise the notes and coins by shape as they get older just like you and I do. They can also use it to learn adding up and making the correct amount of change for the price of items.

Expressive Art and Design:
Children will act as others as they use the money through role play whether they are a shop, cafe, hotel, vets, the list is endless.

Understanding the World:
Children could be taught that not all money is the same and that different countries have different currencies as all places are different. They may also learn that not everyone has lots of money and that money isn't bought like this play money, we do have to work for it.

The children regularly use the money as part of their role play especially in the role play shop.