Hands-on learning helps students learn to budget and make financial trade-offs.

Young brother and sister counting change on floor at home

On a recent Tuesday, I stood inside a bank storefront and talked to seventh graders about how to save money, why we save and how to evaluate banking options. It was part of a financial literacy program that emphasizes hands-on learning.

Instead of worksheets, textbooks or lectures, these middle schoolers engaged in a simulation of real-world budgeting and financial decision-making. It’s part of a Junior Achievement Finance Park program in Maryland. The first location opened in 2003, and there are now 65 finance parks all over the country.

Originally published on nerdwallet.com, part of the BLOX Digital Content Exchange.

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