First Citizens National Bank Celebrates 10th Annual National Teach Children to Save Day

(Mason City, Iowa)- First Citizens National Bank’s Power Saver Club will celebrate the 10th Annual National Teach Children to Save Day, April 25, 2006. This annual event began in 1997. Each year community banks join together to help Iowa children learn the importance of saving. This year First Citizens National Bank is celebrating by going to area schools and teaching classes.

The lessons focus on the importance of saving money and introduce children to banking vocabulary words such as deposit and interest. Younger students are taught about working hard to save by using the fable “The Ant and the Grasshopper.” Students help tell the story by using puppets and other visual aids. Older elementary students are taught how money can grow over time and how you earn interest. They are taught to make change, an important life skill. They also learn about foreign currency and currency exchanges. The classes are taught by the Power Saver Coordinators at each location of First Citizens National Bank.

So far this year, 14 classes have been taught to elementary students in Mason City, with more planned for April. The classes have been taught in grades kindergarten through fifth. “Kids need to be taught the importance of saving money. By making banking and saving fun through the Power Saver Club, we hope to teach children to be responsible consumers and plan for their future,” said Amy Hogg, Power Saver Coordinator for Mason City. “Saving is a life skill that is more effective the younger it is learned.”

The National Council of Teachers reports that learning the details of saving money helps children (in grades kindergarten through 12) in mathematics, language skills and consumer sciences. It adds to problem solving, communication and reasoning skills.