Birthday Bash – choices and decisions

Summary - Choosing a birthday present

The player has been invited to a friend’s birthday party. Before they go, they can spend up to $20 on a present at the toy shop. During the game, they’ll attempt to choose the most suitable present. Criteria to consider in making the ‘best’ decision are given to the player, based around their friend’s preferences. When they reach the finish, players are asked to choose the best present based on what they’ve learned about their friend during the course of the game.

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The Learning

As buyers, we have a range of options but limited income, so we have to make decisions as to the ‘best’ way to spend our money. When evaluating these choices, we need to be realistic both about our purchase requirements – such as the needs of the person we are purchasing for - and our financial position. This will depend upon the age of the player, and on their interests and hobbies.

Key financial concepts

• Our financial choices vary according to our situation and the stage of our life
• We buy things according to the age of person whom we are buying for
• We buy according to our current level of income

We all respond to different incentives

• What we might like, our friend might not
• We buy things according such factors as other people’s interests, our colour preferences, and our willingness to spend

Curriculum links

Achievement objectives

Social studies process

• Social decision-making – make decisions about a possible social action (level 1 - 2)
• Values exploration - explore and analyse values (levels 1 - 2)

Essential Skills

Social and co-operative skills

• Develop a sense of responsibility for the wellbeing of others

Problem solving skills

• Exercise imagination, initiative and flexibility
• Test ideas and solutions, and make decisions on the basis of experience and supporting evidence

Information skills

• Organise, analyse, synthesise, evaluate and use information

Communication skills

• Become competent in using new information and communication technologies

Guided questions to ask Birthday Bash players

1. What would you have bought for yourself with the same amount of money?
2. What were two hard choices to decide between, and why?
3. What were the most influential criteria that came up in the game – what was most helpful in choosing the right present?
4. Did you and your parent, teacher or caregiver agree with the final decision?
5. If your parent, teacher or caregiver didn’t give you the money for the present, what might they have spent the money on instead?
6. Would you be willing to do an extra job around the house so that you could give a friend a more expensive birthday present?
7. If your caregiver was short of income this week, what could you do towards buying the present?