You may feel a little uneasy about this parenting task. After all, you may not be all that confident about your own money-management skills. But you probably know more than you think you do, and you will play a critical role in shaping your children's attitude toward money.

When do you start? As soon as a child can count and begin to distinguish between coins, she's ready for her first financial strategy: Don't eat the money. Here's how to teach about money at each stage.

Toddlers and Preschoolers

At this age children can sort coins, learn their value and begin to understand how money gets converted into "things."

5- to 7-Year Olds

By the time they start school, many children are ready to receive an allowance. The goal is to give your child the opportunity to budget, spend and save his own money. Most experts agree an allowance should not be linked to chores or grades. Extra money for special jobs such as cleaning out the garage is fine.

The amount of the allowance depends on which expenses the child is expected to pay, so sit down with your child and map out a weekly or monthly budget. One suggestion is to pay 50 cents per week for each year of the child's age.

You can encourage saving by dividing the allowance among three jars. Money in jar 1 can be spent on whatever the child chooses. Jar 2 money is saved for a more expensive item, like a toy or book. Jar 3 is reserved for long-term savings, such as a college fund. Pay interest (even a few pennies at a time) to jar 3 money. Children are fascinated when money makes money.