TVFCU Celebrates National Credit Union Youth Month in April
April 16, 2020
TVFCU joins credit unions nationwide for National Credit Union Youth Month throughout the month of April. Admist the COVID-19 pandemic, we know parents are just trying to stay afloat by juggling work responsibilities — which are more than likely from home, providing homeschooling and trying to keep children entertained. Here are five tips to help keep kiddos entertained for a bit and to help teach them the value of a dollar in today’s digital age in honor of National Credit Union Youth Month.
Use Tangible Money
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Much like yesteryear, teaching children the value of a dollar starts with tangible money.
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Since we are eating at home more, save packaging and use a play cash register or a cash box to play store. Teach younger children the value of the coins and have older children create product prices and tally their purchases.
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Give children an allowance in exchange for them completing basic chores.
Encourage Saving, Spending and Giving
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Create spend, save and give jars for children to visually see their allocations. Get creative with these jars. Use canning jars or old plastic jars. Then decorate them with glitter, paint, stickers — whatever you have on hand to help your child have ownership in the project.
Take a Virtual Field Trip to the US Mint
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Visit https://www.usmint.gov/learn/kids for videos about how coins are made. The site is filled with resources, including videos, games, activities and coloring pages.
Make Coin Animals
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Have children create caterpillars and other animals by lining coins up on a sheet of paper and drawing legs, antennas and such. While working on the Money Animals Activity, teach younger children the value for each coin and have older children count the value of the coins used in the activity.
Lead by Example
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You are your child’s biggest role model. This is obviously an unprecedented time, but be sure to model health financial habits as much as possible. It is important to have “kitchen table money conversations” in front of children, but also do not reveal too much during this uncertain time.
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Visit https://www.mymoney.gov/Pages/for-youth.aspx for other resources from elementary to high school students.
Follow TVFCU on social media for Fun, Financial Friday tips throughout the month of April.
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About Tennessee Valley Federal Credit Union
Tennessee Valley Federal Credit Union (TVFCU), a not-for-profit financial cooperative, was established in 1936 when 57 Chattanooga TVA employees pooled $500 to create the member-owned credit union. Today, TVFCU serves more than 151,000 members who live, work, worship, volunteer or attend school throughout the 13-county service community. With more than $1.6 billion in assets and 18 branches throughout the area, TVFCU is the largest credit union in the region. For more information about TVFCU, please visit tvfcu.com.