Money for Kids. Pera Mo, Palaguin Mo!

A Parent/Teacher’s Guide to Financial Literacy for Kids

Authors: Francisco J. Colayco, Ph.D. and Nina Lim-Yuson, Ph.D. This is the first book of its kind in the market. The book contains ten stories of children ages 4 to 12 years, each of which can be read to younger children and read together with the older ones. There are several lessons to learn in each story that are related to some of the Eight Money Guidelines for Kids. Part of the Foreword of the book says the following: “…children who are taught about financial matters at an early age become more self-confident and successful in the management of their personal wealth throughout their lives. Developing financial literacy is important for children of less privileged families, who need to help themselves and their parents achieve freedom from lack. But it is virtually a necessity for kids whose parents have enough money to support them and provide them with a comfortable lifestyle. It is they who could be blissfully unaware of the fact that their money can run out, and could be more danger of growing up financially uninformed.

Many parents don’t like to discuss money matters with their kids; perhaps because they believe in the old adage, “Money is the root of all evil.” But the undeniable fact is that there are over seven hundred direct references to money in the Bible, and two-thirds of the parables of Jesus have something to do with money one way or another. As parents, we might as well help lead our children toward the right financial path rather than let them find it alone and maybe get lost along the way. And although financial literacy is not yet part of school curricula, teachers who want to contribute to their pupils’ financial education process could certainly integrate the lessons taught in this book into their teaching plan, whenever possible.

Through this book, we hope to encourage you to develop financial literacy in your children while they are still very young—ideally from four to thirteen years—using the principle, “You cannot share what you do not have.” With it you can help them understand that there is nothing more fulfilling than to be able to share with others, but in order to do that they must first have something to share, and that they should therefore learn to save and take care of what they have to ensure that they will always have enough to give.

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What they say about the book:

. . . . The message is clear, emphatic and practical particularly in the dissertation between “needs and wants.”  But (business) society will always capitalize on the “wants” because “needs” by their very nature, require no further promotion . . . .

CENON R. ALFONSO, MD, FPCE, FPSGS,
President & CEO, University of Santo Tomas Hospital / President & Chairman, ARDI Health Services, Inc.

. . . . I am raring to share these practical tips to my friends, relatives and patients.  This is a must-read book, and something I can highly recommend to be given as a gift.  I do hope that topics like these will be included in our medical conventions in the future . . . .

MARGARITA LUISA AGAPINAN ALFONSO, MD
Medical Director, Alfonso Clinic; Pediatrician, The Medical City

This book breaks down ideas into bite-size pieces, making it an easy and absorbable read for all.  I particularly enjoyed the good, concrete examples based on real people and real lives . . . . Parents and teachers should take home a copy of this book!

JOANNA ONGPIN-DUARTE
Owner & President, Big & Small Company

Mr. Colayco has made a good move in reaching out to children with this new book . . . . Children should learn that money is not only for buying.  Money can be saved. Money should be spent wisely. And money can make a positive difference in their lives as they grow up.  This book is a must-read for young parents, preschool/grade school teachers, and even older children. 

BARBARA MARTINEZ JORDA
Owner & Teacher, KIDS (Kids In Day School)

FJC is the Robert Kiyosaki of the Philippines. Since success in life stems from developing our youth early on, this book will be a great tool for causing lasting positive change. I buy into Mr. Colayco’s vision that one element that’s essential for a better Philippines is increased financial literacy among all Filipinos.

LEX LEDESMA
Director, Nami Resorts; Educational Consultant, International Labour Organization (ILO); Executive Director, School for Professional and Continuing Education

. . . . Teaching a developing child the concept of money is indeed a daunting task!  However when presented in stories and creative activities that not only stimulate problem-solving skills but also inculcate an appreciation of values, the language of math becomes a total learning experience.  This book is an excellent resource that comes at a much needed time.  I will be recommending it to students, colleagues, educators and parents.

ALEXIS L. REYES, MD, FPPS, FPSDBP 
Associate Professor and Developmental Pediatrician, Department of Pediatrics, University of the Philippines College of Medicine

…Read this book because like it says, “You cannot share what you do not have.”  Then, teach it to your kids. But not as a “Money” lesson but as a “Life” lesson.  Because more than money, wealth, finance, this book is also about PASSION, ATTITUDE, CHARACTER, SHARING TO PAX (di ba pangalan ng author ’yon?).

VINCENT “CHOT” REYES
Head Coach, RP National Men’s Basketball Team and San Miguel Beermen; Founder/CEO, Coachcom, Inc.

Practical money matters are often learned thru experience. This book allows one to easily glean basic and necessary information to help one ride through life’s roller coaster of financial ups and downs.  I wish they taught this way in school!

JIM TROTA FUENTEBELLA
Director, Max’s Group of Companies

Parents and teachers alike will certainly agree:  It’s never too early, but it can be too late, for children to learn how to handle money.  Yet not everyone will know exactly how to go about teaching it to young children.  Fortunately, there is no longer any need to worry once this book makes its way to homes and schools.  The stories, scenarios, and tips in the book can all serve as a great jumpstart for family and class discussions.  And that’s where the real treasure is — and this book makes those necessary discussions possible.

LEAH IBAÑEZ YUMUL, MA and BUNNY TY, MS
Owners, The SchoolRoom, Inc.