Why we MUST keep teaching children about money, says KickStart

Allowing children to enter adult life with no financial education is like abandoning them at sea without swimming lessons.

That is the warning from a financial education organisation determined to keep kids engaged in learning about money, despite complications arising from the pandemic.

KickStart Money, formed by a consortium of savings and investment firms, funds free financial education to primary school children.

Money lessons: KickStart wants more parents and teachers to take an active role

As coronavirus threatened to derail its aims, it launched an online service in September last year.

Lessons are delivered by charity MyBnk and its digital effort has so far reached 1,500 pupils.

KickStart now wants more parents and teachers to take an active role in ensuring children have a secure grasp on money matters.

Jane Goodland, KickStart co-chair, says: ‘No one would allow their child in the sea without teaching them how to swim. But we let our children go out into the world unprepared for life.

‘The financial impact of Covid-19 on people, many of whom went into the pandemic with no savings, demonstrates the need for financial education.’

Though lessons streamed into the classroom are now on pause, parents can still use free resources to teach their children at home.

There is a programme for children aged five to seven, designed to be completed with a guardian, and another for children aged seven to 11, which can be completed independently. 

To find out more, visit kickstartmoney.co.uk/programme. Once restrictions are lifted, parents will be encouraged to speak to their child’s school about taking up the virtual money lessons.

Yorkshire Building Society has also just launched six online lessons from its ‘money minds’ programme to help parents, carers and teachers during the pandemic. Visit ybs.co.uk/media-centre/ money-minds-home-school.