Short Video Reveals Sammy's Secrets to Successful Financial Education

Check out this short video. After School Instructor and Camp Director, Erika Hernandez shares her main take aways from the Sammy Rabbit Dream Big Read Experiences conducted at the Weingart East Los Angeles YMCA! Go to the bottom of our Spotlight page to see a highlight reel of the program discussed by Ms. Hernandez.

Financial Education Programs Strengths

Three of the chief strengths of Sammy's Dream Big Read Financial Education strategy are:

• Broad appeal
• Gets participants engaged and excited about learning and financial education
• Messages stick. And they are easy to act on!

Broad Appeal

You can use the strategy and resources with kids of all ages. The secret is HOW YOU use, introduce and deliver the resources. The set up, the pacing, the types of activities and the length of the experience will all depend on the age of the children being addressed. For example, when using Sammy's Big Dream with kids:

• Under age 7: You may want to read one page; then have kids color that page; then focus on one word or message related to that page - having kids repeat the word or phrase out loud; and then, based on your judgment perhaps do a simple art and craft or activity like the ones displayed below.
• Over age 7: You may want to read the entire story; have a discussion; and do an activity.

How to Engage Participants

Regardless of a child's age one key to training and education success is getting participants involved. Here are several methods to get participants involved in the financial education experiences you lead.
Ask questions
Have participants repeat key messages out loud. This technique is referred to as "call and respond"
Have participants follow or develop hand signs to communicate key phrases and messages
Have participants do activities. Have them draw or write.
Have participants do arts and crafts
Have participants sing and dance
Have participants play role!
For more video examples on how to use Sammy's Dream Big resources and strategies visit our Training Center.

Financial Literacy that Sticks

Strategies that are easy for anyone to execute that produce outcomes that can be predicted and repeated are valuable. Sammy Rabbit programs and resources have been doing that since 2001. Here is what users are reporting. You will also find more about Sammy's history and record of success here. It is a record you can count on!

User Experiences and Feedback

Here is a sampling of user experiences - Sammy Rabbit Dream Big Financial Education resources.

In Home: Parent Child Experiences
Michael Morton, Dad and Daughter, Harvard, MA
Nick Bradfield: Father and son, Cary, NC
Abby Kovach: Mother and daughter, Denver, CO
Chelsea Iliff: Military Mom, MD

In School and After School: Led by Community Leaders
Malabar Elementary School. Rosa Overstreet, Los Angeles, CA
St. John Lutheran School, Amy Vetrone, Financial Educator Berlin, WI
Walnut Elementary School, Baldwin Park, CA
Huntington Elementary School. Cedric Turner. Empower Yourself, Brockton, MA
Did You See What Marine Veteran Nick Bradfield Did? Cary, NC
Alana Golden, California Department of Financial Institutions, Sacramento, CA
Patrina Dixon and United Way Women's Leadership Council, Hartford, CT
Money Smart 101, Philadelphia, PA
Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK
Naval Air Station, Jacksonville, FL

Author Led Experiences
YMCA and East Los Angeles College, Los Angeles, CA
Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado Springs, CO
Air Force Aid Society, Arlington, VA
El Monte Promise Foundation, El Monte, CA
University of Maryland Cooperative Extension, Salisbury, MD

Media Reviews
Fox: Good Day Columbus: Krista Cavalieri
Financial Advisor Magazine: Children Form Financial Behaviors By 7
Kiplinger: Janet Bodnar, Editor. Kids and Money Author