Early financial education plays a crucial role in shaping children's understanding of economic concepts and decision-making. Research has shown that even at a young age, children develop naïve economic conceptions, which can serve as a starting point for structured educational interventions. Addressing these early representations in primary school offers an opportunity to foster financial awareness and decision-making skills that may have long-lasting benefits for personal and social development.
In recent years, the Italian school system has increasingly recognized the importance of integrating financial education into the curriculum. However, there is still a need for specific and structured pathways that can be effectively embedded within daily teaching practices. This contribution will explore possible ways to implement financial education in primary schools, focusing on two main approaches: (1) the design of Unità di Apprendimento (Learning Units), used by teachers; and (2) the creation of targeted training programs for pupils.
The first study analyzes Learning Units constructed in collaboration with 13 primary school teachers, highlighting both the potential and the challenges encountered when integrating economic and financial education into everyday didactic planning. This process underlines the importance of providing teachers with accessible, context-sensitive tools that can be adapted to different classroom realities.
The second study presents a financial education training tested with 78 children aged 8 to 10 years, aimed at strengthening specific competencies, such as decision-making, with a direct application to economic contexts. These training are conceived to be developmentally appropriate, engaging, and effective in promoting critical thinking and financial awareness.
Overall, the contribution will provide reflections supported by empirical evidence on how financial education can be meaningfully introduced in primary school by combining teacher-oriented tools with child-centered training, thus advancing both the theoretical and practical discussion on financial literacy at school.