Money Management For Youth Program

[tifnglen]

Hi All,

I am currently working with a community outreach group (volunteer) that helps young teens (8-17). I was approached today by the ED in regards to developing a Youth Money Management Program. I will be responsible for writing, development, and teaching. This will be a 4-5 part series and there will be a certificate for successful completion at the end.
My questions:

1. What ages would you start with? I was thinking 15-17

2. How far would you go and were would you start? Check book writing? Bank rec? or is that too basic

3. Do you know of any sites that I could receive low cost/free materials at (we are non-profit)?

4. What do you think they should have to do to receive the certificate? I am interested in them learning the materials and not just remembering things for a test

5 More suggestions?

[PrincessPerky]

I think ING (the online bank) has a program of sorts...but not sure the ages, it might give you an idea of what others think kids need to learn and when.

If you go so far as to open bank accounts you might get free stuff from the bank you plan on using.

[disneysteve]

I think 15-17 is way too late. I'd start with the youngest kids: 8-10 in your group. The sooner you teach them, the less likely they are to get into trouble later. Most kids that age are already getting allowances even though they aren't working yet. We certainly started teaching our daughter at that age (and younger). She's 12 now and knows how to balance the checkbook (she does it for me every month). She understands how credit cards work. She knows how to comparison shop at the supermarket, check unit prices, use coupons, stock up when there's a good sale, etc. She understands compound interest. And she has a decent understanding of the stock market, though we're still working on that one. (I'm not sure I totally understand the stock market some days.)

[Seeker]

1. What ages would you start with? I was thinking 15-17

2. How far would you go and were would you start? Check book writing? Bank rec? or is that too basic

3. Do you know of any sites that I could receive low cost/free materials at (we are non-profit)?

4. What do you think they should have to do to receive the certificate? I am interested in them learning the materials and not just remembering things for a test

5 More suggestions?

1) I'd start as young as you can. 8 years old is a good age and I know my nieces/nephews had an allowance at that point as well.
By the time they've eneter into high school -- 15-17 years of age -- they will probably need to take a personal finances class.... I remember that I did in HS. In fact that's when I applied to get a SS card -- and they also gave us the voter's application form (even though we weren't old enough to vote at that point).

2) Nothing is too basic. Without the basics how will anyone get to the complexities.

3) Low cost for younger ages: Money

Oh, and if I may make a recommendation, kids "love" rubber stamps, and unlike the plastic or paper coins, these do not get lost. And teaching youngsters about making change with these is fun for them....

Stamps Money - Heads - CE-103 - TeacherStorehouse.com - Teacher supplies, school supplies

4) Not sure about this one. The more senses you involve with the learning process tends to make the subject "stick." Sitting and reading or sitting and listening is not very stimulating.

Group interactions and playing on buying/selling and making change is a good start.... but to earn a cert you'd have to observe them in these interactions.