Needs and wants

Have you ever wished for a new toy, but then eaten dinner because you were hungry? Those two feelings are actually very different! Some things are called needs — these are things every person must have to stay alive, safe, and healthy. Other things are called wants — these are things that would make us happy or are fun to have, but we can be okay without them.

Here is a great example: Food is a need. Your body needs food every single day to grow strong and have energy to play and learn. Without food, your body would not work well at all. But a video game is a want. Video games are lots of fun, but if you never had one, you would still be perfectly healthy and safe!

Here is another example: A warm coat in winter is a need. When it is very cold outside, your body needs to stay warm to stay healthy. But a sparkly, rainbow-coloured coat instead of a plain one — that is a want! The sparkly coat would be wonderful, but the important thing is just having a coat to keep you warm.

Here is something to think about: Can you look around the room you are in right now and spot one thing that is a need and one thing that is a want? What did you find? 😊