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Introducing Invest In ME Kindergarten

June 6, 2025

Have you ever wondered what your child will be when they grow up? Maybe your little one loves building with blocks and digging in the sandbox—future construction worker or architect in the making! Perhaps your toddler can’t get enough of finger painting and coloring on the walls—artistic greatness awaits! Or maybe your kindergartner enjoys organizing recess games and explaining the rules of kickball to their classmates—sounds like a natural-born coach to us. You might not be far off. Research shows that children start forming career interests and mimicking money habits at remarkably young ages. You may even remember your own childhood career dreams—teacher, doctor, hairdresser? Does your current career or college major reflect any of those early aspirations?

This early curiosity inspired us to collaborate with the Finance Authority of Maine (FAME) and create the Invest In ME Kindergarten program. Designed to introduce children to diverse career possibilities, the program helps them start imagining their future paths. It also lays the foundation for early financial literacy by teaching essential money concepts like saving, sharing, and spending, all on their level. Since kids learn by observing, this is also why it’s crucial for parents to model strong money management skills.

Additionally, Invest In ME Kindergarten supports Maine educators by providing curriculum-aligned resources that complement existing teaching frameworks and align with the Maine Learning Results. The program also engages families by offering accessible resources that extend learning beyond the classroom, encouraging meaningful conversations about future aspirations.

Your child’s $500 Alfond Grant is just the beginning. Invest In ME Kindergarten is one of the many additional ways FAME and the Alfond Scholarship Foundation support the future of Maine’s children and their families. It’s not just about educating children—it’s about building strong foundations for life. Developing financial literacy and discovering career aspirations are part of a child’s lifelong journey that often begins in kindergarten, and Invest In ME Kindergarten is designed to make that learning experience fun.

So what can you expect from this resource? In addition to tools for parents and teachers, you’ll find engaging, FREE activities supplemented by comprehensive teacher and family guides. These guides provide structured approaches to help educators and parents reinforce these essential concepts in meaningful ways.

There are currently four core student activities:

1. “When I Grow Up I Want to Be” Activity: a creative coloring exercise encouraging children to visualize potential future careers
2. “People in Our Neighborhood” Activity: an exploration of community-based professions that helps children recognize the value of different occupations
3. “Save, Share, Spend” Activity: an introduction to basic money management concepts that establishes healthy financial habits early
4. “Needs vs. Wants” Activity: a foundational lesson that helps children distinguish between necessities and desires

Be sure to check back for more activities and resources in the future! Just like your child’s career aspirations, our Invest In ME Kindergarten toolkit is always evolving and easy to use. Simply tap through to the landing page to get started. Happy learning!