P1 Math: 3 Common Mistakes Students Make When Learning Money Topic (and How to Fix Them)
- AGrader Learning Centre
- 1 day ago
- 5 min read
If your P1 child mixes up coin values, counts change incorrectly, or freezes at money word problems, you’re not alone. Parents often see the errors but don’t know how to fix them at home—leading to slow progress, avoidable money mistakes, and rising frustration for both parent and child. The good news? With a few targeted routines, teaching money can be straightforward, confidence-building, and even fun.
Below, we’ll break down the three biggest errors in P1 money, show you exactly how to correct them, and wrap up with simple games and home routines that build early financial literacy—from the piggy bank to first savings goals and even a child-friendly take on personal finance terms like bank account. Think of this as a parent’s blueprint for how to teach kids about money—or, if you prefer UK phrasing, how to teach money to primary 1—using British English and Singapore denominations.
1) Presentation Problems: When the Dollar Sign Goes Walkabout
Mistakes you may notice:
Writing $50 as 50$ (“Because we say fifty dollars, right?”)
Using one decimal place for dollars: $0.5, $1.2
Mixing symbols: $50¢ or $0.50¢
These are classic money mistakes in P1 money, and they’re easy to fix by teaching formatting as a habit. Children thrive on stable rules they can repeat.
Rule card (print and pop on the wall or inside a homework file):
Use $ for dollars and ¢ for cents (never both at once).
Front sign, two dots (two decimal places) = Dollars (e.g., $0.50, $1.20).
Back tail, no dots (no decimal places) = Cents (e.g., 50¢, 20¢).
Quick practice prompt:Circle the correct answer: 50¢ is ($0.5 / $0.50 / $50).Correct: $0.50 or 50¢ (both show fifty cents correctly, but never $0.50¢).
Parent tip: Use a small “formatting checkpoint” before your child writes an amount:
“Is it dollars or cents? If dollars, two decimals after the $; if cents, use the cent sign and no decimals.”
This two-second routine prevents nearly every presentation error over time.
2) Random Counting: When Totals Keep Changing
Mistakes you may notice:Children pick up coins in any order—5, 10, 1, 20—double-count some, skip others, and end up lost. This is normal; they’re still mapping values to symbols and sizes.
The fix: adopt one consistent counting strategy and stick to it.Use greatest-to-smallest and count in the order of $, 50¢, 20¢, 10¢, 5¢ (Singapore denominations). This reduces cognitive load and builds number sense.
Example:What is the total amount below? (Coins: 50¢, 20¢, 10¢, 10¢)Count on from the greatest value: 50¢ → 70¢ → 80¢ → 90¢.Total = 90¢.
Hands-on tip: Lay coins in a left-to-right line from largest value to smallest before counting. Your child will begin to see structure, not chaos.
Mini-script you can use:
“Line up the biggest coins first, then step forward in jumps. Say the total out loud as you place each coin.”
3) “Only One Way” Thinking: When Flexibility Is Missing
Mistakes you may notice:Your child can make $1.00 as 50¢ + 50¢, but can’t find other ways. Without flexibility, money word problems feel like brick walls.
The fix: practise equivalence through playful challenges.
Same value, different ways:“How many ways to make 80¢?”Try 50¢ + 20¢ + 10¢, 20¢ × 4, 10¢ × 8, or 50¢ + 10¢ + 10¢ + 10¢.Celebrate each new way; record them like a collector’s list.
Least coins challenge:“Make 80¢ using the fewest coins.”50¢ + 20¢ + 10¢ = 3 coins beats eight 10¢ coins—this builds efficiency.
Exchange game:Trade two 20¢ coins for one 50¢ when it helps.Talk about why the number of coins changes, but the total stays the same.
These activities hard-wire the idea that amounts are flexible, which later unlocks change-making, bar model reasoning, and multi-step word problems.
How to Teach Kids About Money: A Step-by-Step Home Routine
You don’t need special kits. A small coin dish, a note or two, and five minutes a day will move the needle fast.
Step 1: Format first (30 seconds)
Ask: “Dollars or cents?” Then apply the Rule card. This prevents money mistakes before they start.
Step 2: Order coins (1 minute)
Sort by value (largest to smallest). Count on while touching each coin: “50, 70, 80, 90.” Consistency is key in teaching kids.
Step 3: Flex the amount (1–2 minutes)
“Show 90¢ a different way.” Aim for two new ways each day. Keep a tally chart—gamify the process.
Step 4: One quick word problem (1 minute)
“A sticker costs 70¢. You have $1.00. What’s the change?” Line up coins to make $1.00, remove 70¢, count what’s left.
These micro-sessions build fluency without tears. If attention wobbles, stop early and praise the effort.
Small, Consistent Habits Turn Money Confusion into Confidence
When you tidy up formatting, insist on greatest-to-smallest counting and practise “same value, different ways,” the three biggest P1 money stumbling blocks fade fast. Five focused minutes a day—format, order, flex, one short word problem—build automaticity without tears and lay real foundations for financial literacy (change-making, sensible choices, and early saving habits). Keep it light, praise the process, and let your child “collect” new ways to make the same amount; flexibility today becomes problem-solving strength tomorrow. If progress dips, go smaller (two coins, one prompt) and celebrate quick wins. With these routines, your child won’t just pass money questions—they’ll own them, one confident count at a time.
AGrader’s Primary Maths tuition (Primary 1–6) is fully aligned with the latest MOE syllabus and deliberately teaches ahead of school to build confidence early. We prioritise clear concept mastery, then train students to apply what they know using critical-thinking skills and proven heuristics—efficient exam-answering techniques that help children solve up to 90% of challenging problem sums with speed and accuracy. Weekly lessons are supported by realistic practice through revision papers, diagnostic tests, and worksheets that mirror actual exam formats, while engaging activities such as online quizzes and hands-on tasks keep learning enjoyable and sustained.
Every enrolment also includes complimentary access to our EverLoop Improvement System—after-class resources that reinforce lessons and close gaps quickly. With Past Year Papers, Topical and Revision Packs, and LessonTube explanatory videos, your child can revisit tricky topics anytime, progress at a comfortable pace, and turn “I’m stuck” into “I can do this.” Ready to see the difference? Book a trial at AGrader today and secure your child’s spot.
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