Addition Financial Credit Union has a financial literacy program that successfully teaches money management to four-year-olds. Yes, preschoolers. Kids who are still mastering their ABCs are also learning the difference between needs and wants.
The program is called ADDing FUNdamentals, and it’s now in its fourth year of helping tiny humans get a head start on financial know-how. This year, Addition Financial is expanding the initiative through a new partnership with Rosen Preschools, bringing age-appropriate money lessons to even more Central Florida kids.
Financial Literacy Meets Playtime
The genius of this program is in how it works. Instead of lecturing preschoolers about compound interest (that would be a tough crowd), ADDing FUNdamentals uses interactive play and hands-on activities to introduce basic concepts. Think of it as Sesame Street meets your credit union.
The program is built on Junior Achievement’s JA Ourselves curriculum and developed in partnership with Junior Achievement of Central Florida and the Early Learning Coalition of Orange County. Through games and activities that actually hold a four-year-old’s attention, kids learn foundational skills like making choices, understanding the difference between things they need and things they want, and the concept of saving money.
For Rosen Preschools, this marks their first year as a program partner. It’s part of their broader commitment to creating educational opportunities for children and families throughout the region.
Learning Doesn’t Stop at Dismissal
One of the coolest aspects of the initiative is how it extends beyond the classroom. Volunteers from Addition Financial, Junior Achievement, and Rosen Hotels & Resorts have put together backpacks loaded with educational materials. These aren’t just for show—they’re designed so kids can continue learning at home and share what they’ve discovered with their families.
The backpacks will be distributed to students at Rosen Tangelo Park Preschool and Rosen Preschool (PS8) in Parramore. But wait, there’s more. Addition Financial is also providing miniature credit union playhouses where students can practice their newfound money skills through imaginative play. It’s like a financial literacy laboratory, but way more fun.
Why Start This Young?
“We are very proud to partner with Addition Financial to bring the ADDing FUNdamentals program to the Rosen Preschools,” said Frank Santos, president and CEO of Rosen Hotels & Resorts. “Having spent a majority of my career in finance, I am a big advocate for financial literacy. It is a critical life skill, and teaching these foundational lessons early – and bringing materials home to their families – will prepare the next generation for long-term success.”
Kevin Dougherty, Chief Operations Officer at Addition Financial Credit Union, echoed that sentiment: “We are incredibly grateful to have an organization of Rosen’s caliber become a part of the ADDing FUNdamentals program. The students at Rosen Preschools will now get a jump start on developing key skills many of us take for granted – understanding and managing money. The positive response and success we’ve seen since launching the program speaks to the need of fostering financial education at an early age.”
The bottom line? While most of us learned about budgeting through trial and error (emphasis on error), these kids are getting a foundation that could set them up for a lifetime of smarter financial decisions. And if we’re being honest, that’s something plenty of adults could still use a refresher on.