Teaching Financial Intelligence to Youngsters - Mission 1 - Celebrate Saving!

It's never too early for youngsters to begin developing their financial intelligence. The most important thing parents can do is to set a good example, but there are also plenty of other ways to plant the seeds of fiscal responsibility in children. One great way is to let kids hear Mission 1: Celebrate Saving!, a music CD by Sammy, a cartoon rabbit that serves as the spokesperson for The "It's A Habit!" Company, Inc.

The lyrics send strong messages about earning, saving, sharing, and investing. Simple rhymes are set to catchy melodies that children and adults will enjoy listening to and discussing. The clear, repetitive phrases are easy to understand and remember so as kids learn the words they also learn the lessons.

MISSIONS TRIPS

"Get in the Game" teaches about saving, with lyrics such as "From every dollar, save a dime" and "Don't ignore this call and go to the mall and spend it all, you'll hit a wall."

"Anyone Can Be Rich" sends this empowering message: "It doesn't matter how much you have to start ... The sooner you start, the less it takes ... anyone can be rich."

A message of setting goals and putting together a plan to reach them is the focus of "Plan." In "Lemonade Stand," the fun of working and earning money is stressed. Then there's the wise "Don't Spend More Than You Make" and the lively "Debt Stinks." The words to all 15 songs on the CD are printed on the insert for parental review.

Music and songs have long been accepted as effective education tools, a fact that has spawned much controversy about the lyrical content of many popular songs. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics: "Awareness of, and sensitivity to, the potential impact of music lyrics by consumers, the media, and the music industry is crucial. It is in children's best interest to listen to lyrics that are not violent, sexist, drug-oriented, or antisocial."

If you want your kids to hear songs with positive messages that will provide a lifelong benefit, Mission 1: Celebrate Saving! will be a great addition to their music library. The CD can be purchased for at www.itsahabit.com. The site also includes books, lesson plans, and other resources for teaching kids financial literacy.

Teaching Financial Intelligence to Youngsters - Mission 1 - Celebrate Saving!

MISSIONS TRIPS

Teaching African American History - How to Do it in Creative Ways

When it comes to conferrence facts on Black History, I am a huge fan of my neighborhood social library. There is so much to be discovered; invaluable books, documentaries, even music to aid me in addition my knowledge of Blacks in America. I've recently come across a treasure entitled Black America Series: Cincinnati, by author Gina Ruffin Moore. I can't wait to dive into this one! The wonderfully informative mini-series, Roots, can be borrowed for the watching (and re-watching)! Oh, and if you are unquestionably serious about learning, Eyes on the Prize, a documentary about the African American perceive from 1954-1965, is not to be missed. I remember once stumbling across a library music Cd of the Fisk Jubilee Singers. I immediately snatched it up since I knew that I could glean much history as I listened to those splendid spirituals. I was not disappointed!

The internet as a source for teaching almost goes without saying. What a tool! If the library doesn't have it, chances are the world wide web will (and more). Just use caution when conferrence study from questionable sources such as Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia that whatever can edit.

MISSIONS TRIPS TO AFRICA

Take benefit of living history sources. What could be great than sitting down and listening to man tell his or her own story of being Black in America? An elderly African American grandmother can tell us all some things that we'd never find in an American History text! A good friend of mine recently passed away at age 86. I have fond memories of listening to his many colorful stories. I mean, do you know how many presidential elections, wars, and life experiences he'd lived through? Stories galore!

Search out opportunities to hear talks by surviving (their numbers are rapidly decreasing) Tuskegee Airmen. Sit at their feet and hear how they overcame seemingly insurmountable odds in their quest to serve this great country. Also, get to know African American families; ask them their story.

Speaking of field trips, I recently asked my children if they felt they received a good grounding in African American History. To my delight, they answered in the affirmative, but guess what they remembered most? Not my lectures, but the places I'd taken them to over the years. Places like old homes that were private railroad stops, and trips to meet African American scientists and astronauts. They recalled taking a trip to see a stage operation given by a splendid gentleman who has for years portrayed previous slave and abolitionist, Frederick Douglas. Now, it could be that the fondest memory they cherish from that particular event was the cookie "Mr. Douglas" gave each of them, but my point is, they remembered the event at all!

Teaching African American History means using some creativity versus depending upon former history texts. Give my suggestions a try or feel free to come up with some of your own. Just do it!

Teaching African American History - How to Do it in Creative Ways

MISSIONS TRIPS TO AFRICA