Infogaphic: Understanding Homeschooling in the United States

I stumbled across this yesterday. It's an interesting look at homeschooling in this country. I'm not sure I agree with it all, but one fact I found interesting is that it claims that 15% of homeschooled kids are Hispanic. I don't know how accurate this is our where they got their information, but this number seems rather high to me. I know that when I started homeschooling 6 or 7 years ago, there was virtually NO information for Hispanics on homeschooling. Today, I know that number has grown because of the number of emails I get from Latino parents who are exploring the possibility. But I would be incredibly surprised if that number was up to 15%.

Anyway, I hope you enjoy this infographic!

Source: Early-Childhood-Education-Degrees.com

The 2014 FamilyFun Travel Awards

I love researching family vacation spots because for us vacations are new learning opportunities. My husband and I used to travel all the time before we had kids. Now, with a smaller budget, we have to be more thoughtful about our travel plans. This year, we've got Yellowstone on our list of places to visit.

I like it even better when someone else does the research for me and shares a list of fun family-friendly vacation spots.  So I'm bookmarking this infographic from FamilyFun because you never know when we might have the opportunity to visit the Strong Museum in New York or the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago.

Click here to cast your vote for your own neck of the woods to take home the title of “Most Fun Region!”

New Survey from PBS KIDS Reveals Tablets #1 Tech Device for Holiday Gift Giving

A new survey data from PBS KIDS was released yesterday. Not surprisingly, a little over half the parents surveyed plan to purchase/give a tech item to their child this holiday season. What surprised me, I think, is that tablets actually edged-out video games and handheld game systems!

And what pleased me the most was to see that educational content was in the list of top three things parents look for in an app. Phew! As a mom who refuses to download Angry Birds Star Wars for her children to play despite their begging (don't worry, they get to play it every now and then on a friend's iPad), it relieves me to know that parents realize that just because it is educational doesn't mean it isn't fun. I only have educational apps on my tablet. And they are still fun. We enjoy Wild Kratts, Ranger Rick, and many other apps that entertain while teaching or reinforcing key concepts and skills.

Read more about the survey and see if you can relate to any of the findings in this great little infographic below! 

What Role Do You Play In Your Child's Financial Literacy?

It absolutely astounds me that financial literacy is not taught in most schools. Instead, if we want our children to be financially literate, the responsibility falls on our own shoulders. For many of us, we simply purchase our kids a piggy bank. Other times, lessons happen during teachable moments. 

But how many parents really teach their children about managing money wisely? How many show their children how to put some money aside for savings, some for giving, and some for spending? Who teaches their daughter what interest is? Who teaches their son about balancing a budget?

This post contains affiliate links.

Well, a recent study released by Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (MassMutual) suggests that affluent Hispanic moms, with household incomes greater than $100,000, are working to be financially responsible, while striving to flawlessly manage all the household responsibilities. Yet, like many, they’re concerned about the state of their families’ finances and at times don’t know where to turn for help.  Like some moms, they too are trying to actively educate their children about finances and involve them in the family budgeting.

I would hazard to guess that this is not just Latina moms with household incomes over $100,000. I can honestly say that my husband and I don't make over $100,000 yet (hey, we might someday!), but I do know that we're trying to be financially responsible. And teaching our kids how to be responsible with money and become financially literate IS something we are actively working on. 

And yet, I can totally relate to 34% of the Hispanic moms in the study, who feel like they should be doing more to save for the future, but right now are struggling to just get by. I see our money just flowing right our of our bank account; medical bills, house payments, utilities, groceries, and gas, not to mention clothing for two growing kids, school supplies and classes just gobble it all up.

Take a look at this infographic that best explains the results of the study:

All of it is fascinating, but the thing that catches my eye the most is that last section which shows that on average, Latina moms are starting to educate their kids about finances when the latter are about 6.9 years old. This is probably a good age, and just a little older than mine were when I first created their three banks. But I think I was late and should have started sooner. 

When we go shopping, my kids always wind up asking me to buy them something. Sometimes I do, but usually I don't. It's because I want them to start thinking about the value of it. I tell them they can save their money and buy it on their own. Because I want them to work hard so that their satisfaction is that much greater when they use their own money to buy something. And because I want them to think carefully about what they spend their money on.

A few years ago, I read somewhere about creating three banks: One for saving, one for giving, and one for spending. I really liked the idea, so that's what we did. My daughter has done a great job of saving up money. She quickly learned to put a portion away, and eventually saved up almost $200 that she wanted to use to buy a dairy cow. Don't laugh. Because we did. (Aha! Now that picture up top makes sense!)

Anyway, my point in writing this whole article is to encourage you as a mom, to start thinking about how you are going to teach your child to be financially literate...and responsible. Their future depends on your thoughtful guidance. So sit down and figure out your strategy, then implement it. You'll be glad you did!

If you are looking for a few resources to help you begin teaching financial literacy, take a look at these...

Online Resources that Teach Financial Literacy

• Banzai - a FREE online program that offers multiple education games to teach students ages 8-12, 13-18, and 16+. The best part? They are available in English AND SPANISH.
• Rich Kid, Smart Kid - online games that teach smart money management.
• MoneyTime - an online course for kids age 10-14. You can purchase a monthly subscription or pay an annual fee.
• Juni - finance, investing, and entrepreneurship courses for kids ages 9-18. 

Books for Kids

Check out my great list of children's books that help teach financial literacy for a variety of ages!

Curricula & Downloads

Online curricula:

• The National Financial Educators Counsel has this complimentary Immersive & Interactive Kids Financial Literacy Program for kids ages: 3 to 18 (watch for a review on MommyMaestra!)
• Free downloadable lesson plans

TpT Downloadable Lessons:

• Real-World Budgeting & Finance: A Personal Financial Literacy Project (4th - 8th grade)
• Game of Life - Financial Literacy - Math Project - Distance Learning Compatible (6th - 12th)
• Financial Literacy Paycheck, Credit, Loans, and Tax Forms BUNDLE with Digital (9th - 12th)

Kits & Games

Cashflow for Kids is a great board game to teach kids ages 6 to 10 money management skills.

And, finally, this kit from Dave Ramsey for kids ages 3 to 11:

featured image credit: © Can Stock Photo - dolgachov

500 Artists Talk About Inspiration

Blick Art Materials recently released the results of a survey in which they asked 500 artists questions about inspiration.

For some reason, Blogger is not loading this infographic at full scale, so I had to break it up into to images which is why the scale is off just a tich. Share this infographic with your kids and encourage them to continue exploring art every day!

Un abrazo...