FIRST FINANCIAL GROUP LAUNCHES
FINANCIAL LITERACY PROGRAMMING FOR CHILDREN WITH
PLEASE TOUCH MUSEUM®
*New programming featured an original theater show, puppet pal, interactive workshops and hands-on activities that teach kids about
earning, saving, spending and investing*
In 2011, First Financial Group, a general agency of Masschusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (MassMutual), announced a partnership with Please Touch Museum® to introduce young children to the concepts of earning, saving, spending and investing. Financial-related activities included a theater show, story time, Banker Puppet Pal, interactive workshop, and Design Your Dime activity.
Financial Literacy is the first program at Please Touch Museum to address earning, saving, spending and investing for children age seven and under. Financial Literacy is part of The Museum’s “Get Up and Grow™ Initiative,” which is a lighthearted, interactive, content-based approach to teaching lifelong habits that result in healthier, happier families through compelling resources, exhibits, messaging, events and open-ended play.
"First Financial Group’s commitment to financial literacy for children and families, coupled with our strong desire to give back to the community, has resulted in our sponsorship of the Please Touch Museum's financial literacy program," said Harris S. Fishman, President of First Financial Group. “Keeping on track with family finances can be challenging in today's economic times. Our activities with Please Touch Museum are exciting designed to help parents and children stay on track financially.”
“Our partnership with First Financial Group will help children improve their mental and physical health, along with their overall quality of life. Together, we will introduce basic financial concepts to children so that they develop tools for a lifetime of financial well-being,” said Please Touch Museum President and CEO Laura Foster.
FINANCIAL LITERACY AT PLEASE TOUCH MUSEUM ACTIVITIES
The Pinch & Penny Show: The Please Touch Museum Playhouse Theater presented The Pinch & Penny Show, a story that explores the concept of saving money for something you really want or need, rather than spending it carelessly.
Design Your Dime: The Elaine Wideman-Vaughn Program Room will featured “Design Your Dime.” Visitors were able to create their own currency. The activity helped children explore the design principles behind money, including historical figures, symbolism, numbers, and more.
Kids $mart Startsm Interactive Workshops: First Financial Group presented MassMutual’s Kids $mart Startsm financial literacy workshops to help parents and guardians teach their children about money. These fun, interactive workshops include age-appropriate plans for saving, how to identify a "want" vs. a "need", how to manage pocket-money, and how to plan for larger purchases. Workshop games and lessons are designed to encourage discussions between parents and children on the importance of good financial habits. “Please Touch Museum and MassMutual's Kids $mart Startsm program offer a way for kids of all ages to have fun while learning financial basics that will benefit them throughout their lifetime,” said Nick Fyntrilakis, MassMutual Assistant Vice President, Community Responsibility.
PTM Puppet Pal – Banker: Children were invited to meet the latest addition to the PTM Puppet Pal family – Banker Puppet Pal. This dapper businessman was seen in The Museum’s exhibits talking about numbers and counting with young visitors.
About Please Touch Museum
Please Touch Museum® (PTM), The Children’s Museum of PhiladelphiaTM, is dedicated to enriching the lives of children by providing learning opportunities through play. The Museum is open Monday through Saturday from 9:00am until 5:00pm, and Sundays from 11:00am – 5:00pm. Admission is $15 for adults and children age one and over. Museum members and children under one are free. On-site parking is available. For more information, call 215-581-3181, or visit www.pleasetouchmuseum.org.