Financial Literacy Month: Oklahoma Group Offers Financial Lessons To Children

How well do you handle or understand money?

According to Wallet Hub, Oklahomans need a lot of help. In its 2015 rankings, Oklahoma is near the bottom for financial literacy at number 45.

While there are several organizations offering advice for adults, it is what they are doing for children that can create the change Oklahomans need.

Giovanni Monterroso is a volunteer at Hawthorne Elementary School in southwest Oklahoma City. He teaches 11 classes using curriculum provided by the Junior Achievement organization. Every lesson, activity and story teaches these students about financial literacy, entrepreneurship and workforce readiness.

"It's never too early to learn about money," said Jennifer Wallis of the Jump$tart Coalition, a group of 30 organizations and businesses who provide resources to educate the public about money matters. "We know when kids are learning about money in school, they'll hopefully take those lessons home and talk to their parents about them."

Junior Achievement is targeting all schools but particularly Title One schools where a majority of students qualify for the free or reduced lunch program.

"It can make a difference," said Gayla Goff, assistant principal, Hawthorne Elementary. "If I work hard, I can get money and achieve my dreams. We are constantly telling our kids to go on past high school and on to college."

Although April is Financial Literacy month, volunteers like Giovanni work year-round. The Junior Achievement curriculum gets more complex as students move on to middle school and high school. Eventually the program teaches more in-depth about investing, saving for college and retirement.

Right now the kindergarten students learn a relatively simple concept: work equals money.

Junior Achievement is always looking for volunteers and the Jump$tart Coalition offers resources throughout the year.