Library Program Encourages Children To Spend Wisely

Residents county-wide were offered opportunities to learn more about financial options through a week-long initiative called DuPage Money Smart Week 2011, sponsored in part by the Economic Awareness Council.

The program ran from April 2 through 9 and included countless free classes and forums in DuPage County communities, including an expo at the College of DuPage. To conclude the week’s worth of sessions, the Hinsdale Library hosted a “Piggy Bank Pageant: Money Smart Story & Craft” program Saturday afternoon.

Hinsdale resident Tracy Frizzell is the executive director of the Economic Awareness Council, and she made sure her hometown had an event of its own.

“Her goal is really just to teach kids smart ways of working with money,” said Peggy Montroy, who led the Saturday program. “And starting them off sooner can, hopefully, help them learn even better habits and routines by the time they’re old enough to be independent than those we’re used to now.”

The program was geared toward children ages three to 10-years-old and had room for 20 participants but accommodated 33 eager youngsters. Montroy, who teaches fifth grade in Palos Park, said she couldn’t dare turn down people who were anxious to learn.

Montroy walked the kids through a customized version of The Three Little Pigs, describing the straw and stick houses as investments, while seventh grade volunteer Elena Frizzell sang during several breaks in the story.

Seventh grade volunteer Brigid Mulligan also helped as the group of children listened to another story about spending before they colored a piggy bank.

This story was of a boy who wanted several items and bought them instead of saving his money in a piggybank at home. As the story progressed, the boy needed something but didn’t have any money and had to do extra chores to earn what he needed.

Each child received a white piggy bank and was given the rest of the time to decorate it using stickers, markers and plastic gems.

Many parents stayed for the program and helped decorate the piggy banks. Allyson Regas brought her son and daughter to the program hoping to build strong foundations.

“I think there’s a lack of life skills being taught at our schools,” Regas said. “Teaching your children to value money can be easily forgotten when living in such an affluent suburb.”

However, one youngster was already on his way and Saturday’s program only strengthened his tendencies. Rose Ross said her son Dylan already has a pretty penny to his name.

“When we go to supermarkets, he’s always looking on the ground next to gumball machines for the randomly dropped penny, nickel or quarter,” Ross said. “I’m actually really proud that he doesn’t put that money right into the machine. Instead, he takes it home and has a few piggy banks and wallets that he’s filling.”

The boy plans on one day buying a Star Wars toy or t-shirt with the money he’s saving.

Ross said she liked how the program matched an educational concept with a fun activity and allowed the kids to learn without feeling the stress of being in a teaching environment.