Free bilingual videos, guides and articles help caregivers and educators guide children in understanding the value of money and learning to make good financial choices. 

As the cost of living increases and financial stability remains a top concern for families with young children, Sesame Workshop, the global impact nonprofit behind Sesame Street, today released new resources to help young children learn the basic concepts that serve as a foundation for financial education.

The resources support early conversations around spending, sharing and saving money. These free bilingual videos, activity guides, and articles feature Sesame Street friends Elmo and his dad, Louie; Cookie Monster; Abby; Bert; and Ernie as they learn about spending and saving, as well as the everyday moments they share that bring about joy in their lives:

In “Making a Spending Plan Together,” Cookie Monster learns about making a family spending plan with his mum. Thinking and planning ahead are key financial education skills.

In “Elmo’s Spend, Share, and Save Jars,” Elmo and Louie help Abby learn about spending, sharing, and saving money.

During a trip to the grocery store in “Wants and Needs with Bert and Ernie,” Bert helps Ernie learn an important financial education skill by teaching him about the difference between wants and needs.

For Me, For You, For Later: First Steps to Spending, Sharing, and Saving — Free digital guides specifically tailored for parents, caregivers, and educators teach children financial basics for now and in the future, as well as an accompanying professional development guide.

Financial stability remains a key priority for families and by supporting caregivers and educators in teaching foundational financial skills early, they can help prepare children to make sound financial decisions as they grow. 

"Empowering our children with foundational financial skills is not just about teaching dollars and cents; it's about nurturing a lifetime of smart choices,” said Dr. Jeanette Betancourt, Senior Vice President of U.S. Social Impact, Sesame Workshop. “By fostering financial education from an early age, we equip our little ones with the tools they need to understand the true value of money and embrace a future of sound financial decisions.”  

The new resources can be found in English and Spanish at sesame.org/FinancialEd. Additionally, they are being distributed through the Sesame Street in Communities program, an initiative for community providers who serve families and help children face challenges big and small. Teachers, healthcare professionals, social workers, and any providers working with families and children, are invited to use and share Sesame Workshop’s large and growing library of bilingual resources and professional development tools, created to support them in their vital work. 

The resources have been created with generous support from PNC Foundation through PNC Grow Up Great®, a nearly 20-year early childhood education initiative.

About Sesame Workshop  

Sesame Workshop is the global impact non-profit behind Sesame Street and so much more. For over 50 years, we have worked at the intersection of education, media, and research, creating joyful experiences that enrich minds and expand hearts, all in service of empowering each generation to build a better world. Our beloved characters, iconic shows, outreach in communities, and more bring playful early learning to families in more than 150 countries and advance our mission to help children everywhere grow smarter, stronger, and kinder. Learn more at www.sesameworkshop.org and follow Sesame Workshop on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and TikTok.