Introduction
With over 25 years of experience in the financial literacy education space, our work consistently shows that teaching kids about money is most effective when lessons are simple, engaging, and aligned with what schools are already teaching. This page highlights how the song “Get in the Habit” aligns with national and state financial literacy standards for grades K–8, supporting responsible decision-making, habit formation, and long-term financial well-being.
Helping children build strong money habits starts with simple, repeatable actions. The song “Get in the Habit” teaches one of the most important financial behaviors kids can learn early: saving money consistently—even in small amounts—so children can build confidence, discipline, and lifelong money skills through music.
Song Overview
Song: Get in the Habit
Primary Financial Concept:
Building the saving habit by saving consistently—even small amounts—from every dollar.
Key Message:
Saving doesn’t have to be big to matter. When children practice saving regularly, they build confidence, discipline, and a foundation for future financial success.
National Standards Alignment
Council for Economic Education (CEE)
National Standards for Personal Financial Education
Standard 1: Decision Making
Grade Bands: K–2 | 3–5 | 6–8
Effective decision making requires comparing costs and benefits.
How the song aligns:
Encourages choosing to save instead of spending impulsively
Reinforces that repeated choices shape outcomes
Builds early awareness that decisions matter
Standard 2: Money Management
Grade Bands: K–2 | 3–5 | 6–8
How the song aligns:
Introduces purposeful money use
“From every dollar, save a dime” models a simple, repeatable plan
Frames saving as a habit, not a one-time action
Jump$tart Coalition
National Standards in K–12 Personal Finance Education
Saving
Grade Bands: K–2 | 3–5 | 6–8
How the song aligns:
Reinforces saving as a regular behavior
Demonstrates how small amounts add up over time
Connects consistency with growth (“watch your money grow”)
National Financial Educators Council (NFEC)
Core Financial Literacy Framework
Grade Bands: K–2 | 3–5 | 6–8
How the song aligns:
Emphasizes behavioral money habits
Builds responsibility through repetition
Encourages confidence and ownership of financial actions
Social-Emotional Learning (CASEL)
Competencies:
Responsible Decision-Making · Self-Management
Grade Bands: K–2 | 3–5 | 6–8
How the song aligns:
Builds confidence (“you can do it”)
Encourages patience and self-control
Helps children feel proud of positive habits
Standards Alignment by Grade Band
K–2 (Ages 5–7): Foundations & Habit Awareness
Big idea: Saving is something I can do every time.
Introduces a simple saving rule
Uses a positive role model
Builds confidence and consistency
Reinforces good choices without numbers or complexity
Grades 3–5 (Ages 8–10): Consistency & Growth
Big idea: Small savings grow when I save regularly.
Connects saving to future benefits
Shows that small amounts add up
Strengthens self-management and patience
Reinforces planning through repetition
Grades 6–8 (Ages 11–13): Responsibility & Long-Term Thinking
Big idea: My saving habits today shape my future.
Frames saving as a long-term strategy
Encourages delayed gratification
Reinforces responsibility and intentional behavior
Introduces a compounding mindset
State-Level Standards Alignment (Selected States)
The song Get in the Habit aligns with financial literacy or economics standards across multiple states:
California (CA)
Grade Bands: K–2 | 3–5
Primary Focus: Choices, trade-offs, economicsTexas (TX)
Grade Bands: K–2 | 3–5 | 6–8
Primary Focus: Financial responsibility & securityNew York (NY)
Grade Bands: K–2 | 3–5 | 6–8
Primary Focus: Economic decision-makingWashington (WA)
Grade Bands: K–2 | 3–5 | 6–8
Primary Focus: Financial decision-makingOhio (OH)
Grade Bands: K–2 | 3–5 | 6–8
Primary Focus: Planning & money managementIowa (IA)
Grade Bands: K–2 | 3–5 | 6–8
Primary Focus: Life skills & responsibilityUtah (UT)
Grade Bands: 3–5 | 6–8
Primary Focus: Money as a resourceWisconsin (WI)
Grade Bands: K–2 | 3–5 | 6–8
Primary Focus: Habit-based decisionsMassachusetts (MA)
Grade Bands: K–2 | 3–5 | 6–8
Primary Focus: Responsible money use
Why This Song Works in the Classroom
Simple language, powerful habit
Scales naturally across grade levels
Supports both financial literacy and SEL goals
Easy to pair with discussion, activities, or lessons
Bottom line:
Get in the Habit helps children learn that saving isn’t about how much you save—it’s about saving every time.
Would You Like a PDF?
If you’d like a downloadable PDF version of this standards alignment for classroom use, curriculum review, or district adoption, please contact us. We’re happy to provide a printable version that makes it easy to share, reference, and integrate into lessons or program materials.
More Resources Supporting the Song
Get in the Habit Offers an Opportunity to Teach Kids 17 Money and Life Lessons
Have a Conversation with Kids About the Money Song: Get in the Habit
Additional Songs and Fun Resources
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