Browsed by
Tag: kids and finacial literacy

Of Slugs and Budgets – Teaching Money Management to Kids

Of Slugs and Budgets – Teaching Money Management to Kids

When my oldest son, Nathan, was four years old, I caught him crying silently in bed one night. I had gone back into his room to tuck him in as he liked to spend a few minutes “reading” to himself before saying goodnight. Seeing him crying concerned me. “Nathan, what’s the matter?” I asked. He lifted the book he had been reading and turned to the page where a cartoon representation of a slug was sitting behind a ticket booth….

Read More Read More

Money Jars

Money Jars

Learning to save money is an important life skill. During America Saves Week (February) or Financial Literacy Month (April), I like to have small groups of students rotate through the Money Jar Center. I’ve also done it as a whole class activity with second grade and up. Students do have the option of using a hot glue gun. I go over the rules very carefully. Even so, there are usually a handful who choose not to use the glue gun….

Read More Read More

Scams and the Education of Our Children

Scams and the Education of Our Children

Ryan just sent me this text message: “Do you think the people I gave money to this morning scammed me?” Ryan went on an early 8-mile run with a group of people this morning. On his way home, he stopped for gas. While filling up, he was approached by two very distraught females saying they had run out of gas. They asked if he had any money they could use to buy some gas. Ryan gave him all the change…

Read More Read More

Kids and New Year’s Resolutions

Kids and New Year’s Resolutions

Ah, New Year’s Resolutions. Most of us make them. But sticking to them… Here’s an idea. Get the kids involved. They love to know what’s going on in your life. They’re snoopy that way. Actually, they’re just curious about how adults work. So let’s use this opportunity to teach them about New Year’s Resolutions…which is simply a fancy beginning-of-the-year way to say ‘goals’. It’s usually not too difficult for adults to come up with goals. Most of them have been…

Read More Read More

5 Easy Steps to Teaching Kids Money the Brain Compatible Way

5 Easy Steps to Teaching Kids Money the Brain Compatible Way

Turns out, we can actually teach in a way that’s compatible with our brain.   And when we do, interest level increases, retention improves, and confidence builds all leading to more complex learning.  That’s the conclusion of decades of research about how our brain works. The good news is, brain-compatible teaching is not that difficult to do.  It all begins with designing an effective learning environment.  Here are 5 easy steps you can take to create an environment conducive to…

Read More Read More