ORLANDO, Fla. — The credit union message is making its way into Central Florida preschools through a program designed to introduce young children to basic financial concepts.
Addition Financial Credit Union said it has partnered with Rosen Preschools to offer “ADDing FUNdamentals,” a financial literacy program that uses play and age-appropriate activities to teach preschool students about making choices, distinguishing needs from wants and saving money.
The program was developed with Junior Achievement of Central Florida and the Early Learning Coalition of Orange County. It uses Junior Achievement’s JA Ourselves curriculum to introduce financial concepts through interactive lessons and hands-on activities, according to Addition Financial.
This is the first year Rosen Preschools has participated in the program.
Volunteers Contribute
Volunteers from Addition Financial, Junior Achievement and Rosen Hotels & Resorts assembled backpacks containing educational materials that allow children to follow the lessons and continue learning at home. Some of the backpacks will be distributed to the Rosen Tangelo Park Preschool and Rosen Preschool, known as PS8, in Orlando’s Parramore neighborhood.
Addition Financial is also providing playhouses designed as miniature credit unions, giving students an opportunity to practice money-management concepts through imaginative play.
‘Big Advocate’
“Having spent a majority of my career in finance, I am a big advocate for financial literacy,” Rosen Hotels & Resorts President and CEO Frank Santos said in a statement. “It is a critical life skill, and teaching these foundational lessons early — and bringing materials home to their families — will prepare the next generation for long-term success.”
Kevin Dougherty, chief operations officer at Addition Financial, said the program gives preschool students an early start in understanding and managing money.
“The positive response and success we’ve seen since launching the program speaks to the need of fostering financial education at an early age,” Dougherty said.
