HispanicBusiness

TORONTO, ONTARIO -- (Marketwire) -- 01/24/13 -- This document corrects and replaces the news release issued January 24, 2013 at 9:45am EST. The B-roll footage of the launch will now be available on Thursday, January 24th at 4:15 - 4:30 p.m. Eastern.

The Canadian Foundation for Economic Education (CFEE) today announced a new program for families, students and teachers that offers a simple way to help young Canadians learn more about money and personal finances. The program is being supported by BMO Financial Group.

Details were unveiled in Toronto today by CFEE along with the Honourable Ted Menzies, Minister of State (Finance) and representatives from BMO Financial Group, school boards, teacher associations, educators, parents/guardians, students, the private sector, and NGO's.

"Financial literacy means having the knowledge, skills and confidence to make responsible financial decisions," said The Honourable Ted Menzies, Minister of State (Finance). "The earlier in life people start educating themselves about financial literacy, the better equipped they will be when faced with life's important financial decisions."

The new program is "Talk With Our Kids About Money Day" - an annual event with the first "Day" scheduled for April 17, 2013. There will be both a "Home Program" for families and a "School Program" for students and teachers. In future years, the Day will be the third Wednesday in April.

"The goal is to encourage conversations with kids about financial matters," said Gary Rabbior, President of CFEE. "We are designating one day during the year when families and teachers can make a point of talking with kids about money - whether around the breakfast or dinner table, at bedtime, in a classroom, or reading and listening to a news or entertainment program."

CFEE will provide support to "Talk With Our Kids About Money" activities all year long.

The School Program will launch first in the greater metropolitan areas of Toronto and Montreal and will expand across the country over the next three years. For the School Program, a Teachers' Kit will be provided to all schools registering to participate. Complete, easy-to-use lesson plans will be provided to Grade 7 teachers in a wide range of subject areas - from social studies, to math, science, music, art, and others. It is hoped that, on that day, most if not all grade 7 teachers in a school will teach a lesson in their subject area that will focus on a money issue or topic. The new website will also provide additional supports for teachers. The lesson plans will provide opportunities for building links, as possible, to the Home Program so that family activities can build on lessons from school.

The Home Program is being launched nationally this year. For the Home Program, families with children of all ages will be provided with online access to ideas, activities, stories, resources, tools, videos, and more to begin, or continue, money-related conversations with their kids. Support resources will be organized by age range and will focus on activities that are fun, engaging, easy to do - and educational. Hopefully kids won't be the only ones learning.