Introduction
With over 25 years of experience in the financial literacy education space, our work consistently shows that one of the most important skills children can learn early is how to make thoughtful choices. Every day, kids make decisions—big and small—about how they spend their time, their money, and their energy. This page highlights how the song “Make Your Choices Count” aligns with national and state financial literacy standards for grades K–8, helping students understand that choices matter and that outcomes are shaped by the decisions we make.
Make Your Choices Count uses familiar, relatable examples—like food choices and everyday decisions—to show children that even small choices can add up to meaningful results over time.
Song Overview
Song: Make Your Choices Count
Primary Financial Concept:
Thoughtful decision-making—understanding that choices, no matter the size, influence outcomes.
Primary Category:
Money Basics / Spend Smart
Choices & Trade-Offs
Decision Making
Value & Price
Supporting Concepts:
Habits & Responsibility
Self-Control
Goal-Oriented Thinking
Social-Emotional Learning
Key Message:
Every choice counts. When children slow down, think things through, and act intentionally, they build better outcomes for themselves and others.
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:
Reinforces that choices lead to outcomes (“the choices we make decide our fate”)
Encourages thinking before acting
Builds awareness that even small decisions matter
Jump$tart Coalition
National Standards in K–12 Personal Finance Education
Financial Decision Making
Grade Bands: K–2 | 3–5 | 6–8
How the song aligns:
Encourages evaluating options
Reinforces intentional decision-making
Supports understanding trade-offs without numbers
National Financial Educators Council (NFEC)
Core Financial Literacy Framework
Grade Bands: K–2 | 3–5 | 6–8
How the song aligns:
Builds responsibility and accountability
Reinforces thoughtful behavior patterns
Encourages awareness of consequences
Social-Emotional Learning (CASEL)
Competencies:
Responsible Decision-Making · Self-Management · Social Awareness
How the song aligns:
Encourages reflection before choosing
Reinforces self-control and awareness
Connects daily choices to long-term well-being
Standards Alignment by Grade Band
K–2 (Ages 5–7): Making Simple Choices
Big idea: The choices I make matter.
Introduces decision-making in a relatable way
Uses familiar examples to show choice-and-result
Builds early confidence in choosing wisely
Grades 3–5 (Ages 8–10): Thinking Before Choosing
Big idea: Good choices come from thinking things through.
Reinforces comparing options
Encourages slowing down before deciding
Builds awareness of trade-offs
Grades 6–8 (Ages 11–13): Responsibility & Outcomes
Big idea: My choices shape my future.
Reinforces accountability for decisions
Encourages intentional use of money and time
Connects choices to goals and values
State-Level Standards Alignment (Selected States)
Make Your Choices Count aligns with decision-making and personal finance standards across multiple states:
California (CA): Choices, trade-offs, and economic reasoning
Texas (TX): Decision-making and personal responsibility
New York (NY): Evaluating choices and consequences
Washington (WA): Decision-making and problem solving
Ohio (OH): Financial responsibility and planning
Iowa (IA): Life skills and thoughtful decision-making
Utah (UT): Responsible choices and self-management
Wisconsin (WI): Habit-based decision-making
Massachusetts (MA): Responsible choices and planning
Why This Song Works in the Classroom
Uses everyday examples kids recognize
Reinforces decision-making without complex math
Supports both financial literacy and SEL goals
Scales naturally across grade levels
Bottom line:
Make Your Choices Count helps children understand that smart choices—made consistently—lead to better outcomes in money and in life.
Download the Standards Alignment 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 aligned with national and state standards.
More Resources Supporting the Song
Additional Songs and Fun Resources
Keep:
kids listening, learning, singing and growing with a FREE or PREMIUM Money School Memberships.
parents, teachers, and community leaders learning and growing their financial literacy teaching skills by reading Sam X Renick's series of articles: Money Lessons Parents Should Teach Kids!
delivering financial education at home, in school, and other venues with Sammy's Dream Big Financial Education curriculum!
Related Reading
Contact Sammy Today!
We welcome your questions, suggestions, and ideas! Let’s connect, brainstorm, and partner to keep helping kids, families, and communities build strong financial literacy knowledge, habits, and skills—so together, we can create better and brighter futures for all.
CONNECT NOW
