- Definition
Goods" are things you can buy, like toys or food. "Services" are actions people do for you that you pay for, like getting a haircut or having someone fix your car.
A box of cereal is a good you can buy, while the bus driver taking you to school provides a service.
How to teach this in 30 seconds
Try this analogy: Goods are like the groceries you put in the cart at the store, while services are the actions people do, like the cashier who scans them.
Ask your child: At the store, what good did we buy and what service did someone do?
Common mix-up: Kids often think you only pay for physical things you can take home. The key idea is that you can also pay for helpful actions that people do for you.
Examples
- The toys you get for your birthday are goods.
- A doctor's check-up is a service because they are performing an action to help you.
goods and services is a term used in Ontario’s Kindergarten to Grade 8 curriculum.
Where this shows up
The descriptions on this page are SmartStudy’s own original, plain-language writing — not the Ministry’s wording. They are aligned to the Ontario Curriculum, © King’s Printer for Ontario. For the Ministry’s official wording, see the source link below. SmartStudy is an independent service and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the Government of Ontario or the Ministry of Education. Ontario Curriculum and Resources ↗
