Financial Literacy Program at Please Touch Museum August 2, 2011

Please Touch Museum® (PTM) at Memorial Hall, Fairmount Park, presents “fun you can count on!” Financial Literacy at Please Touch Museum runs Tuesday, August 2, 2011 through Friday, September 30, 2011. This new programming will introduce young children to the concepts of earning, saving, spending and investing. Activities will include a theater show, story time, banker PTM Puppet Pal, interactive workshop, and Design Your Dime activity. Financial Literacy at Please Touch Museum is presented by First Financial Group, a general agency of Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (MassMutual), with additional support from US Airways.

Financial Literacy is a new program under PTM’s Get Up and Grow™ initiative, which is a lighthearted, interactive, content-based approach to teaching lifelong habits that result in healthier, happier families through compelling resources, exhibits, messaging, events and open-ended play. “Please Touch Museum recognizes that financial health, along with fitness, proper nutrition and a sustainable environment, are essential for busy bodies to play, learn and grow,” said PTM President and CEO Laura Foster. Activities will include:

The Pinch & Penny Show
Dates/times: Tuesday, August 2, 2011 – Sunday, September 18, 2011 (Note: Theater will be dark on August 7 and 8, 2011.) Monday – Saturday at 11:00am, 1:00pm and 3:00pm, and Sunday 1:00pm and 3:00pm; After Labor Day (September 6), Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday at 11:00am, 1:00pm and 3:00pm, and Sunday at 1:00pm and 3:00pm

Summary: The Please Touch Museum Playhouse Theater presents The Pinch & Penny Show, a story that explores the concept of saving money for something you really want or need, rather than spending it carelessly. The Pinch & Penny Show runs approximately 25 minutes, and is free with museum admission.

Design Your Dime
Dates/times: Monday – Saturday 10:00am – 4:00pm, and Sunday 12:00pm – 4:00pm

Summary: The Elaine Wideman-Vaughn Program Room will feature “Design Your Dime.” Visitors will create their own currency. The activity will help children explore the design principles behind money, including historical figures, symbolism, numbers, and more. The Program Room will also feature opportunities for learning how money exchange works through play, as well as a display case of play money.

Kids $mart Startsm Financial Literacy Workshops
Dates/times: Saturdays, August 6, August 13, August 20, August 27, September 3 and September 10, 2011, following each theater show

Summary: First Financial Group presents MassMutual’s Kids $mart Startsm financial literacy workshops to help parents and guardians teach their children about money. These fun, interactive workshops will include age-appropriate plans for saving, how to identify a "want" versus a "need", how to manage pocket-money, and how to plan for larger purchases. Workshop games and lessons are designed to encourage discussions between parents and children on the importance of good financial habits.

Banker PTM Puppet Pal
Dates/times: Ongoing

Summary: Children are invited to meet the latest addition to the PTM Puppet Pal family – banker Puppet Pal. This dapper businessman will be seen in PTM’s exhibits talking about numbers and counting with young visitors. PTM is hosting a promotion to name banker Puppet Pal on PTM’s Facebook page. The promotion runs Monday, July 11, 2011 through Thursday, July 28, 2011, when the new name is announced.

Story Time
Dates/times: Monday – Saturday at 10:30am and 3:30pm, and Sunday at 12:30pm and 3:30pm

Summary: Families will enjoy story times featuring age appropriate books which focus on money, savings, numbers and counting. Story time takes place in Story Castle, at the rear of the Please Touch Museum Kids Store.

Financial Literacy at Please Touch Museum will run Tuesday, August 2, 2011 through Friday, September 30, 2011. For a schedule, or more information, please visit www.pleasetouchmuseum.org or call 215-581-3181. Activities are included in the regular price of admission, which is $15 for adults and children age one and over. Museum members and children under one are free.

Please Touch Museum at Memorial Hall, Fairmount Park, is located at 4231 Avenue of the Republic, Philadelphia, PA 19131. Operating hours are Monday through Saturday from 9:00am until 5:00pm, and Sundays from 11:00am – 5:00pm.