Personal finance experts suggest that parents should teach their kids about money. They want parents to talk to their kids about earning, spending, investing, saving, borrowing and sharing.

In fact, the experts advise parents that the earlier they start, the better. Robert Duvall, president and CEO of the National Council on Economic Education, says a majority of practices can begin as early as preschool.

"We need to get to young people as early as possible," he says. "We don't wait until a young person gets her or his first job to teach them how to read. Why do we want to wait until they are in the working world to teach them some basics about managing their money? Because often it's too late."

The experts have provided 10 ways for you to help your children understand and appreciate the value of a dollar:

1. Talk with your children while shopping at a grocery store or in the mall.
Express your thoughts when you compare prices and quality when shopping for school supplies or holiday and birthday gifts.

2. Take your kids to the bank.
Whether you are taking out money from the ATM or heading inside the bank to cash a check, talk with your kids about what you are doing. Teach them how money can be earned by not taking it out of the bank account.

3. Talk with your kids about investments.
Purchase stock in companies of products that they know. Experts say you can start in elementary school, but it might be more meaningful in middle school.

"Too many people have suffered losses -- by not diversifying, for example -- that could have been avoided with a little information and education," says Steve Hines, spokesman for the JumpStart Coalition for Personal Financial Literacy. "But, stocks generally outperform other forms of investment over longer periods of time, and since kids have time on their side, why not help them learn to make their money grow?"

4. Create a spending account, and provide your kids with a piggy bank.
Give your children an allowance and make sure they set aside a certain amount for savings. A piggy bank can help children watch their money grow. Let them keep a financial journal to record their financial activities.

5. Make them work for their money.
Money doesn't grow on trees, so teach your kids to earn their money. They can start by picking up their toys, taking out the garbage and raking the leaves.

6. Help them to establish savings goals.
Goal-setting can help kids aspire to achieve their dreams. So whether the goal is a toy, bicycle or a car, help them to learn that it can be attained by saving and working.

"A troubling trend in our society is giving credit cards too early and too easily," says Duvall, who suggests giving responsible teenagers a credit card toward the latter part of high school, along with a good heart-to-heart talk about credit.

"Know your kids individually, and don't be in a rush to help them spend," says Hines. "Don't get your kids a credit card and hope they'll learn something on their own. You wouldn't get them a car and hope they'll learn to drive it on their own, would you?"

7. Teach them how to use a credit card.
If you decide to give your child a credit card, be sure to monitor its use.

8. Include kids in discussions on household budgeting and vacation planning.
Talk about necessities such as utilities and extras. Teach kids about the financial resources needed for the vacation such as tickets, transportation, lodging and entertainment.

9. Teach them about donating.
Donating can help teach your child about giving.

Hines believes volunteering is a way to "offset the consumer-driven environment by teaching kids that there is joy in something other than buying things for themselves.

"For some kids, this is a powerful lesson. Instead of just delayed gratification, it's gratification by spending on someone else. With donations, there are also opportunities to discuss how far a dollar can stretch and values."

10. Be a good role model.
Lead by example. Educate yourself. Learn how to save and develop a sound budget. Read up on investing. A variety of resources are available on the Internet and at credit counseling agencies.