Children across the country can get a head start on their financial savvy, thanks to a new initiative from San Diego County Credit Union (SDCCU).

The SDCCU Biz Kid$ Program, created in partnership with the County of San Diego and the San Diego County Office of Education, aims to give educators tools to teach students about money and business. Besides a free classroom curriculum, the program is made up of an Emmy award winning TV series created by the producers of Bill Nye the Science Guy, a website, and outreach activities.

The activities and lessons are geared toward kids ages nine through 16 and are in line with national financial literacy and entrepreneurship education standards. Although the program comes out of California, teachers and students across the country will have access to the materials, which are crafted according to individual state education standards.

Teresa Halleck, president and CEO of SDCCU, emphasized the importance of providing schools with a financial literacy curriculum. She said that teaching kids the basics of money and business will “help them make better financial decisions early on and enhance their lives for years to come.”

Biz Kid$ television show has been around for seven years

Although the curriculum and website are new, the Biz Kid$ TV show debuted in 2008. Developed together with the National Credit Union Foundation (NCUF), the show helps kids learn life skills around entrepreneurship and financial literacy. It has reached over 65 million viewers on more than 340 public television stations.

The website and curriculum, as well as the outreach activities, will enrich and support the material found in the television show and can be used separately or together with the episodes.

San Diego officials voice support for financial literacy education

San Diego County Supervisor Ron Roberts said his office is excited about the new partnership with the SDCCU and the Office of Education. “The ability to manage one’s money is a core element to achieving the County’s Live Well Thriving Strategy, which focuses on helping communities grow and enjoy the highest quality of life.”

The Live Well San Diego initiative was launched in 2010 and creates partnerships with community leaders, schools, businesses, and non-profits.

And Randolph Ward, County Superintendent of Schools, said his office is fully supportive of the new curriculum. “The SDCCU Biz Kid$ program will help lay the groundwork for students to begin building a successful financial future.”