Skip to main content
U.S. flag
An official website of the United States government
Dot gov
The .gov means it’s official. 
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.
Https
The site is secure. 
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.
Consumer Resource Center

Grades Pre-K - 2

This standards-aligned curriculum series empowers educators with engaging activities to integrate financial education instruction into subjects such as math, English, and social studies. Here is a brief overview of what you will find:

  • Educator's Guide with lessons and hands-on activities to promote student participation in the learning process. Grade-level modifications are identified throughout the activities.
  • Teacher Presentation Slides, optional overhead visuals that include fill-in charts to support the activities of each lesson.
  • Student Guide features worksheets for students based on topics covered in each lesson that can be used at school or at home. The worksheets can be found in the Educator Guide for grades Pre-K-2, and in a standalone Student Guide for grades 3-12.
  • Parents'/ Caregivers' Guide with a summary of the key concepts covered in the module, and that offers exercises, activities, and conversation-starters for parents.

Superintendents, Principals, Educators and other Administrators:

The FDIC would like to hear from school superintendents, principals, or other school leaders on how we can support educators in your schools using the Money Smart curriculum. In addition, the FDIC wants to hear from educators who use the curriculum on what worked well, what could be improved, and promising approaches you may have used to deliver the curriculum. Please contact communityaffairs@fdic.gov and describe where the curriculum could be used and the grade-level range of the students.

Course Description

This page provides details on the lessons that comprise Money Smart for Grades Pre-K-2.

The first table helps you find lessons that align with key financial topics as defined through the My Money Five (mymoney.gov). The second table illustrates the topic and learning objectives for each of the lessons.

ThemeCorresponding Lesson
Earn
  • Lesson 1 (Understanding Currency)
  • Lesson 2 (Earning Money)
Spend
  • Lesson 1 (Understanding Currency)
  • Lesson 3 (Needs and Wants)
  • Lesson 5 (Saving and Spending)
Save and Invest
  • Lesson 4 (Setting Goals)
  • Lesson 5 (Saving and Spending)
Borrow
  • Lesson 6 (Borrowing and Lending)
Protect
  • N/A

Lessons at a Glance

Lesson NumberLesson TitleTopicLearning Objectives
1Counting CoinsUnderstanding Currency
  • Describe the purpose of money
  • Examine and discuss the history of money
  • Explain ways money can be used
  • Identify, sort, and count coins and bills
2Learn to EarnEarning Money
  • Identify and explore different jobs
  • Examine sources of income (such as selling lemonade or receiving birthday money)
  • Discover and explain that money is made (earned) by working
3Weighing Needs and WantsNeeds and Wants
  • Define needs and wants
  • Differentiate between needs and wants
  • Compare and prioritize needs and wants
4Ready. Set. Goal.Setting Goals
  • Describe goal setting and how it relates to financial decisions
  • Name personal goals with support
5Super SaversSaving and Spending
  • Identify and evaluate saving and spending
  • Recognize a bank as a safe place to save
  • Create a savings jar or piggy bank
6Borrowing BillsBorrowing and Lending
  • Describe borrowing and lending with real-life examples
  • Discuss and illustrate ways to borrow responsibly


Return to Money Smart for Young People to learn more or download the curriculum.


Back to top

Last Updated: February 2, 2022