Children under the age of six certainly don't need an allowance, however they can learn how to count coins and begin to learn what each coin is worth.  Collecting quarters is great fun!  Invariably, it's a toy that catches the eye of a young child.  Find some inexpensive items at a Dollar Store and begin to show your child examples of what things are worth.   So the next time your child says, "I want" they will truly appreciate what it takes to "earn it".

Children ages six to eleven are becoming more responsible.  Not only can they earn an allowance, they need to practice spending money as well as banking and saving money.  And, yes, they even need to practice spending all it all on one "instant gratification" thing only to learn they have no additional money for something they really want or need.

While not every child earns their allowance; it is still terribly important for children to understand that money doesn't grown on trees and to be able to afford the things we need and want, we do in fact have to earn it!