Economics. SSEC Publication No. 105.

The primary objective of social science instruction should be to encourage and nourish the problem-solving ability of young people. The practice in analytical thinking necessary to achieve this objective requires practice and exercise over a long period of time. Economic education and education in the other social sciences must, therefore, be introduced in the early elementary grades. The fundamental ideas of each social science discipline should be taught at each grade level beginning in kindergarten or grade 1. As the child moves from grade to grade, each concept is taught in greater depth and complexity. This paper identifies eight fundamental ideas for building an economic curriculum. How these fundamental ideas of economic knowledge can then be related to the child's experiences is discussed in detail. Specific games and class activities are discussed. The fundamental economic concepts discussed should be useful to secondary educators as well as to those at the elementary level. (Author/RM)