Sesame Workshop, the global impact nonprofit behind Sesame Street, released new resources to help young children learn the basic concepts that serve as a foundation for financial education. Created with generous support from PNC Foundation through PNC Grow Up Great, a nearly 20-year early childhood education initiative, the resources support early conversations around spending, sharing and saving money.
Financial stability remains a top concern for families with young children and by supporting caregivers and educators in teaching foundational financial skills early, they can help prepare children to make sound financial decisions as they grow.
These free bilingual videos, activity guides and articles feature Sesame Street friends Elmo and his dad, Louie; Cookie Monster; Abby; Bert; and Ernie as they learn about spending and saving, as well as the everyday moments they share that bring about joy in their lives:
In Making a Spending Plan Together, Cookie Monster learns about making a family spending plan with his mom. Thinking and planning ahead are key financial education skills.
In Elmo’s Spend, Share, and Save Jars, Elmo and Louie help Abby learn about spending, sharing, and saving money.
During a trip to the grocery store in Wants and Needs with Bert and Ernie, Bert helps Ernie learn an important financial education skill by teaching him about the difference between wants and needs.
For Me, For You, For Later: First Steps to Spending, Sharing, and Saving — Free digital guides specifically tailored for parents, caregivers, and educators teach children financial basics for now and in the future, as well as an accompanying professional development guide.
“Empowering our children with foundational financial skills is not just about teaching dollars and cents; it’s about nurturing a lifetime of smart choices,” said Dr. Jeanette Betancourt, Senior Vice President of U.S. Social Impact, Sesame Workshop. “By fostering financial education from an early age, we equip our little ones with the tools they need to understand the true value of money and embrace a future of sound financial decisions.”
The new resources can be found in English and Spanish at sesame.org/FinancialEd. Additionally, they are being distributed through the Sesame Street in Communities program, an initiative for community providers who serve families and help children face challenges big and small. Teachers, healthcare professionals, social workers, and any providers working with families and children, are invited to use and share Sesame Workshop’s large and growing library of bilingual resources and professional development tools, created to support them in their vital work.
“Financial education is something PNC is passionate about, and Sesame helped us understand how the concepts could be applied to the early childhood age range we serve through PNC Grow Up Great,” said Sally McCrady, chair and president of the PNC Foundation. “Through everyday moments, the resources provide a wonderful and fun way for parents and caregivers to introduce children to basic financial concepts as they talk about sharing, spending and saving.”