★Wants and Needs
Preschool Social Studies Worksheet
Circle the picture of something we need.
PencilGoPreschool · Social Studies · Economics
Preschool Wants and Needs worksheets
6 printable versionsOn LevelAbout 3 minutes eachFree · no account
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About this worksheet
Knowing the difference between a want and a need is a first lesson in how families choose what to spend on. A need is something everyone must have to stay alive and well: food, water, a safe place to sleep, clothes that keep us warm. A want is something that is nice to have, like a kite or a drum, but we can live without it. Young children feel both as equally urgent, so this page gives them a calm way to sort.
Each row shows three pictures, and exactly one of them is something we need. Say the three names together, then ask: could we live without it? A child who circles the toy is not wrong to like it, so say that toys are wonderful and are wants, and that food and water are needs. Look around your home and sort what you see.
What your child will learn
- Tell a need from a want
- Name things people need to live, like food, water and a home
- Say that toys are fun but are wants
- Sort the things around them at home
Head Start ELOF standard: P-SE 10, D2.Eco.1.K-2
Worked example
The row shows a kite, an apple and a drum. We need food to grow, so the apple is a need. A kite and a drum are fun, which makes them wants. Circle the apple.
Common mistake
Circling the picture the child likes best. Ask whether we could live without it.
Helpful hint
Ask: could we live without it?
Questions parents ask
What is the most common mistake with wants and needs?
Circling the picture the child likes best. Ask whether we could live without it.
How can I help my child with wants and needs?
Ask: could we live without it?
Are these preschool social studies worksheets free to print?
Yes. All 6 printable versions on this page are free to download and print, with no account needed.
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