Teach Children to Save FAQs

• Why should I participate in TCTS?
• How do I get started?
• What qualifies as TCTS participation?
• What if I don’t feel qualified to give a presentation?
• When can I participate in TCTS?
• How can I connect with my community to schedule a presentation?
• Where can I learn more?

Why should I participate in TCTS?

You can use your unique set of skills and expertise to help address a serious problem in our nation—one that threatens the economic stability of America—the lack of financial know-how. Participation in any of ABA Foundation financial education initiatives give you the opportunity to do your in helping consumers of all ages develop the knowledge, tools, and capabilities needed in order to make informed decisions throughout their financial lives. TCTS is an opportunity to foster relationships in your communities, while giving young people the tools and inspiration for a successful financial future.

Additionally, once registered as a participant, your bank will appear on the list of participating banks. ABA Foundation will promote this list to media, state bank associations, policymakers, and community organizations. Participation is an opportunity to highlight your commitment to your community and get recognition for all your outreach efforts.

How do I get started?

Registration to participate in TCTS opens each January, is available at no cost and ABA membership is not required. Once you've registered your bank’s participation through the ABA Shopping Cart, you will receive a confirmation email within 24 hours. This email will contain a link to a private resource page where you can access presentation planning tools, lesson plans, social media guide and communication materials to publicize your bank's efforts. ABA members can review the Start a Financial Education Program Toolbox for an in-depth look into beginning a program.

What qualifies as TCTS participation?

In short, any savings-related lesson, presentation, or event—specifically those that focus on how to save, reasons to save and where to save—qualifies as part of Teach Children to Save. You do not have to use ABA Foundation curriculum to register participation. Examples of program participation include bank visits, in-classroom presentations and events with other organizations that discuss saving and relative topics, along with distributing youth personal finance materials.

What if I don’t feel qualified to give a presentation?

TCTS materials were designed and developed exclusively for bankers to make saving lessons engaging and are great for instructors with little to no experience teaching money concepts. Each lesson promotes audience participation through discussion and hands on activities, with an easy to follow, step-by-step, lesson plan. The "How Safe?" lesson, for example, gets students in kindergarten, first and second grade exploring the various places people keep their money. During the "Secret Agent Savings" lesson students in grades 3-5 use their listening skills and deductive reasoning to uncover savings mistakes.

When can I participate in TCTS?

TCTS celebrates an annual awareness day each April during Financial Literacy Month to focus media attention around the importance of financial education. Bankers are encouraged to schedule presentations on the designated TCTS Day or throughout the month of April, understanding that bankers’ and schools’ schedules may prevent participation during that time, a presentation given at any time during the calendar year counts as program participation.

How can I connect with my community to schedule a presentation?

The ABA Foundation believes your bank is in the best position to make local education connections. In addition to classroom lessons, there are a host of groups in every community that serve children and families that can be approached, such as school-based after-care programs or social service groups like; United Way, scout troops, Boys and Girls clubs, and youth groups.

When registering you are encouraged to opt-in to accept presentation requests through FinEdLink. This component of the program will connect you with parties in your community interested in having a banker give a financial education presentation.

Where can I learn more?

Attend a live TCTS Webinar or access a recording of a previous training session. A variety of training options are available on-demand through the Financial Education Webinar Portal.

Still have questions? Reach out to the ABA Foundation directly.