Tools for Parents
Research shows that money management is an essential life skill. We’ve worked with experts to develop these tools that help you teach your kids about money – while having fun along the way!
Just choose a grade level below to find lessons, activities and booklists. (And don’t forget that parents and kids can bank together with our family-friendly accounts.)
Pre-School
- save, share, spend
Teach your children the fundamentals of money. - know your money
Help your child learn to identify coin and paper money. - what is a bank?
Turn your next visit to the bank into an educational field trip.
Reading List
- Berenstain Bears’ Trouble with Money by Stan & Jan Berenstain
- Bunny Money by Rosemary Wells
- Beatrice’s Goat by Page McBrier
K-Second
- do you really need it?
Teach your child the difference between needs and wants. - dream big
Teach your child how to plan and save by setting goals. - earning your keep
How to associate allowance with income. - make change
Using money to understand money. - earning potential
Teach your child the difference between earned and gifted income. - smart spending
Help your child prioritize his or her spending. - let’s make a deal
Teach your child the fundamentals of trade and barter. - extra credit
Teach your child the basics of borrowing - risky business
Introduce the concept of risk and how to minimize it.
Reading List
- You Can’t Buy a Dinosaur with a Dime by Harriet Ziefert
- Once Upon a Dime by Nancy Kelly Allen
- My Rows and Piles of Coins by Tololwa M. Mollel
Third-Fifth Grade
- a plan for success
Developing and sticking to a budget. - payday
Help your child understand income. - savvy shopper
Teach your child the basics of smart spending. - check it out
Teach your child the fundamentals of managing a bank account. - pay it forward
Emphasize the importance of giving to others. - trade you!
Understanding barter and trade. - paying Uncle Sam
Teach your child about taxes. - give me some credit
Help your child understand the importance of borrowing responsibly. - putting your money to work
Teach your child the power of compounding interest. - it cost you how much?
Help your child understand inflation and how it affects the costs of goods.
Reading List
- Rickshaw Girl by Mitali Perkins
- The Story of Money by Betsy Maestro
- Money Sense for Kids! by Hollis Page Harman