‘Kids Read' teaches children the value of money

In a world where it's possible to buy something with the swipe of a credit card, withdraw money from an ATM in seconds and take out a loan at the click of a button, it's becoming increasingly important to teach children about the value of money.

With that in mind, managing your money was the theme of the ‘Kids Read' community event organized by HSBC and British Council UAE on Saturday 1 February  at British Council Dubai.

“Educating children on money management improves their knowledge of using money appropriately and emphasizes the importance of saving. The community event around the theme of  the 'Value of Money' has been strategically designed to ensure we help develop such capacities in our children. The story books not only reflect the theme but it also allows our volunteers to take part in spreading this important message' said Sabrin Rahman, Manager- Corporate Sustainability, HSBC Bank Middle East Limited.

Children and their parents took part in various activities to highlight the value of money. The family day included two popular children's stories, ‘The Great Pet Sale' by Mick Inkpen and ‘Master Money the Millionaire' by Allan Ahlberg & André Amstutz. Both stories encouraged the children to think about issues surrounding money, including choosing how to spend it, and whether it can really buy happiness.

Clare Grundy, Director British Council Dubai, said: “What better way to foster a love of reading at an early age and to help young people learn about important subjects, in this case the value of money, which are important for both their own personal development and for society than through a partnership between the British Council, the world's experts in English, and HSBC one of the financial world's global players? The Kids Read programme has been in the UAE for the past two years and has involved over 5000 children.“

In addition to the stories, the event included some fun hands-on activities. The children designed their own bank notes, as well as creating a money tree with ‘idea leaves' – bringing together their suggestions for how money could be spent to help the world's poor.

In the three years it's been running, the British Council's award-winning ‘Kids Read' programme has reached 35,000 children directly and indirectly across the MENA region and in Pakistan, and it continues to grow in popularity. Each event uses books to encourage children to think about important social issues.