Cambridge Savings Bank (CSB) recently presented its CSBsmart Financial Education Program, "Teach Children to Save," to the Willard School in Concord. 

"Teach Children to Save" coincides with National Financial Literacy Month. The lesson encourages students to make a habit of saving money from an early age. This is the first year CSB engaged Willard School students in the program.

CSB President and CEO Wayne Patenaude read the book Just Saving My Money to 76 students from four classes. He then joined in a discussion with the kindergarteners about the earning, saving and spending concepts from the book. Each student received a piggy bank as well as a dollar in change to practice comparing the values of different coins.

"Through the read aloud experience and hands-on activities facilitated by the bank staff, our students had the chance to participate in a fun and developmentally appropriate lesson that promoted the importance of saving and making good spending choices," said Pat Fernandes, Willard School principal. "Students especially enjoyed receiving a piggy bank and a few coins for their piggy bank."

"Teach Children to Save" is a nationwide initiative of the American Bankers Association, and CSB presents it as part of its CSBsmart program. Since 2010, Cambridge Savings Bank has educated more than 8,500 participants with live financial lessons.