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Update the browser73 per cent of parents of children aged 3-7 declare their interest in financial education classes, according to a survey commissioned by the Bank Millennium Foundation. In practice, however, only one in eight children participates in such classes. The analysis shows that since 2020, parents' interest in financial education of preschoolers has been growing faster than the availability and participation of the youngest in such classes.
Currently, already 21 percent of parents indicate financial education as one of the most important activities for children aged 3-7 (in 2020 it was 13 percent). As many as 3 out of 4 respondents declare that they would be interested in free finance classes for their child (an increase of 6 percentage points compared to 2020). At the same time, only about 12-13 percent of preschoolers actually participate in such classes (an increase of about 4 p.p. compared to 2020). In medium-sized and large cities, this percentage is higher and reaches 15-16 percent, while in rural areas it is only 7-8 percent.
– Financial education is becoming an increasingly natural element of upbringing. Parents see its impact on their children's future independence, and they also declare a greater readiness than ever to take up such topics at home. At the same time, there are areas that require further support: the need for practical tools and the growing expectation for public institutions and social organisations to actively participate in the development of financial competences of the youngest – Iwona Jarzębska, Chairwoman of the Management Board of Bank Millennium Foundation points out.
Parents focus on self-confidence and soft skills
The survey shows that parents often equate financial education mainly with theoretical knowledge, and less often with the formation of habits and attitudes. In the ranking of the qualities that, according to the respondents, should be developed in the first place in children aged 3-7, self-confidence (42 per cent), creativity (31 per cent) and coping with stress (29 percent) dominate. The ability to plan and resourcefulness was indicated by 22 per cent, and basic financial knowledge and the habit of saving – by about 10 per cent. These results show that financial education is still perceived as a separate area, while in practice it is closely linked to the development of competences such as independence, responsibility or the ability to plan.
– Introducing children to issues related to the value of money at an early stage of development increases the likelihood that they will develop lasting, correct financial habits in adult life. Learning to save from an early age also promotes the development of responsibility, independence and the ability to postpone gratification – Paulina Wołosz-Sitarek, Member of the Management Board of the Bank Millennium Foundation emphasises. – Parents increasingly see the need to develop their children's financial awareness and expect systemic support from educational institutions. The main motivation remains the desire to prepare the child for conscious and rational management of financial resources in the future.
Parents are still on the front line, but the role of institutions is growing
56 per cent of parents believe that they themselves should be responsible for the financial education of their children. 40 per cent indicate kindergartens, and 22 per cent – financial institutions. Compared to 2020, the readiness to accept external support, especially from banks and non-governmental organisations, is increasing. However, awareness of systemic actions remains limited – only 19 percent of parents have heard of the National Financial Education Strategy, and half do not know of any financial education programme for the youngest.
The biggest change in the last five years concerns daily practice in families. As many as 88 per cent of parents now declare that they teach their child to spend money wisely. 86 percent of children have a piggy bank, and 48 percent have their own bank account – this is an increase of 15 percentage points compared to 2020. The percentage of parents giving their children pocket money also increased significantly (by 21 p.p.). Over 70 percent of parents talk to their children about money and the household budget, and more than half (59 percent) involve them in purchasing decisions.
– It can be assumed that parents have relatively little knowledge about the methods and ways of supporting financial education of preschool children. During this period, activities of a playful nature, such as fairy tales, games or thematic puzzles, would be more adequate. The examples indicated by parents refer more often to older children and only in their case can they be effective. In relation to younger children, however, they can have the opposite effect to the intended one – Dr. Małgorzata Chojak, Head of the Neuroeducation Research Laboratory at the Maria Curie-Skłodowska University in Lublin indicates.
According to the report of the Bank Millennium Foundation, parents today talk to their children about money more often than five years ago, give pocket money and open bank accounts more often. The growing presence of screens and digital payments can make it increasingly difficult to put off this conversation – children are growing up in a world where money is less and less visible and financial decisions are available at the click of a button. The biggest challenge today is not convincing parents that it makes sense, but answering the question of how to do it wisely. As experts point out, the earliest financial education is not about teaching calculations, but about teaching choice, patience and consistency. And these are formed long before the school desk.
About the survey
The survey commissioned by the Bank Millennium Foundation was carried out by the independent research agency IBRiS using the CAWI (Computer-Assisted Web Interview) method, which consists in conducting online surveys. The survey involved 1000 respondents – parents of preschool children, i.e. aged 3 to 7.
The data collection took place at the turn of December 2025 and January 2026. The research sample was selected in a way that allows for results representative of the population of parents of children of this age.
The results obtained were compared with the results of a similar study conducted in 2020, which allowed for the analysis of changes occurring over a period of five years. It is worth noting that the analysed period included a time of significant and unpredictable social and economic events that could have had an impact on the attitudes and opinions of the respondents.
About the Bank Millennium Foundation
The Bank Millennium Foundation, acting under the slogan "We multiply social capital", has been supporting, for 35 years, projects that engage in activities for the benefit of local communities. In its activities, it focuses on three areas of activities: financial education, cultural education and promotion of volunteering.
For a decade, the Foundation has been conducting educational activities aimed at familiarising the youngest with the basics of finance in a simple, and engaging way, adapted to preschool age. The "Financial ABCs" workshops are conducted all over Poland, and their scenarios have been developed so that children learn through play. From 2016 to the end of 2025, the Bank Millennium Foundation trained almost 100 000 children as part of 4012 educational workshops in 1194 preschool institutions throughout Poland.
For more information go to: https://www.bankmillennium.pl/o-banku/fundacja
For more information about the survey conducted in 2020, click here