Our Family Property
Primary 1 · Social and Religious Studies
Our Family Property
Lesson 2 of 5
10 min
Let's begin
Gatete stands at the shop counter with his mama.
On one side there is a packet of sweets. On the other side there is a bag of beans.
His mama has money for one of them only.
Today you will learn how to tell a need from a want.
You already know the five needs.
Food, water, shelter, clothing, healthcare.
Take one away and your body is in trouble.
A want is something you would like, but you can live without it.
A car. A telephone. A television. A toy. Sweets.
Wants are not bad. Families buy them when there is money left over.
Ask yourself this: Could I still be healthy without it?
If the answer is yes, it is a want.
If the answer is no, it is a need.
Worked example
a television and a plate of beans.
Could you stay healthy with no television? Yes. So a television is a want.
Could you stay healthy with no food? No. So beans are a need.
Wanting something very badly does not turn it into a need.
Gatete really wants the sweets. His body still only needs the beans.
Good families buy the needs first. The wants come after.
Gatete's mama picks up the beans and puts the sweets down.
Tonight the whole family eats. Nobody goes to bed hungry.
Next month, if there is money left over, the sweets can come home too.
Two friends work out what we really need and what we only want.
Tip
Could I live well without it?
Yes means want. No means need.
Ask the question before you ask a grown-up to buy it.
Say need or want, then tap Show answer to check.
Clean water to drink.
Answer: need. You cannot stay healthy without water.
A toy car.
Answer: want. It is fun, but your body does not need it.
Medicine when you are sick.
Answer: need. That is healthcare.
A telephone.
Answer: want. Nice to have, but you can live well without one.
A plate of beans and rice.
Answer: need. Food gives you energy every day.
What you learned today
Quick check
Which one is a want?
