Earn It, Learn It Teaches Kids about Career Skills and Money
Posted by Nancy Phillips on Thu, Dec 01, 2011
For today's blog I am interviewing Alisa Weinstein. She has researched and created the book Earn It, Learn It to help kids learn about the skills involved in different careers along with different ways to make money. This book is full of interesting information you won't find compiled elsewhere.
Nancy: In this world of incredibly rapid change that our children are growing up in, scientists are telling us that flexible and creative thinking are two of the most important things we can help our children develop. Your book certainly provides this opportunity for children. I also like the re-introduction of the age old concept of "mentoring," which has all but disappeared in today's culture. I think this book will really help give children ideas and exposure to information they may never get anywhere else, including in school. Bravo to you!
Alisa: I’m flattered Nancy, and excited, too! I agree with everything you said about the importance of flexibility and creative thinking, as well as fostering the concept of "mentoring." I think what adults can fail to remember is that we grew up in a very personal, human world. While the adjustment to technology for us was more challenging than it is for the younger set, at least there was an adjustment!! We knew about human concepts from experience and then moved to things like email and direct deposit. But kids today are starting with the electronic "face" and are therefore not given the opportunity to develop these basic, human skills. They don't understand the "man behind the curtain" because they never even knew he existed!!
Nancy: I hear your idea for this book began in the make-up aisle with your four year old daughter. What exactly inspired you to take on this massive project?
Alisa:My inspiration did come from a "gimmies" moment in the make-up aisle. Mia wanted another sparkly pink lip balm and I told her to "Get a job!" to pay for it. So I gave her a "real" professional job! She started with her dad's career (market researcher). She surveyed friends and family about their favorite ice cream flavor and then I paid her. We all loved the process so we decided to keep going. The problem was, I didn't know exactly how Marine Biologists...or Curators...or Toy Designers did their jobs, and the information wasn't anywhere that was kid-friendly (online or otherwise). It quickly became apparent that to really bring my idea to life, I'd have to interview these folks, learn what they do for a living, and then translate their responsibilities into kid-friendly tasks. What an amazing thing to get to do! I simply couldn't turn down the opportunity to build this for my children, so I went for it. The end result is the Earn My Keep program: 50 careers and more than 950 kid-friendly tasks, all described in the book, Earn It, Learn It.
Nancy: Tell us about what you are hoping to accomplish with this information. What is your ultimate goal for the book?
Alisa: My ultimate goal is to br
ing to life the entire money process, starting with how adults earn money to how they spend, save and give it once it's earned. I want to kids to learn to love working for the sake of working -- and it takes practice to learn how to appreciate how great it feels to work and reach a goal.
Nancy: The professional "activities" presented would make fantastic school projects. Do you think teachers will begin to incorporate some of the information into their curriculum?
Alisa: Yes, the process has already begun and I'm busting-at-the-seams about it. The Earn My Keep method has been tested in one of America's top public school systems to rave reviews. And I'm in talks to pilot in multiple cities. What's exciting is seeing that light bulb go off in the students' faces, and seeing their teachers' delighted surprise when they realize the positive effects of combining career exploration with fiscal education. These two subjects have traditionally been taught independently -- bringing them together is a whole new exciting world!
Nancy: That is fantastic news Alisa, congratulations! How do you explain the method and value of this process when someone says it sounds like too much work?
Alisa: I tell 'em to stop looking at Level 3 tasks. :) Earn My Keep tasks are ranked Level 1, 2 or 3. And every single career includes Level 1 tasks, which take 15-20 minutes to complete -- such as creating a fingerprint log as an Investigator. Or researching the Earl of Sandwich as a Chef. Or keeping a Nighttime Log as an Astronomer. That's the BEST part about Earn My Keep: it's so unbelievably flexible, families are able to mold it to suit their lifestyles. What's more, you can change it up at any time. And the exponential benefits are amazing. It takes less time than you'd think to make a big difference.
Nancy: Given all the research you have completed and lessons you have learned during the development of this book, what do you feel is the most important lesson a parent can pass on to their child to help them lead a happy and successful life?
Alisa: Undoubtedly, to learn that the work we do can be worth more than the numbers on a paycheck. You can be financially successful and unhappy at the same time. But folks who achieve a state of self-satisfaction from performing a job well done -- they're the ones who are truly fulfilled.
Nancy: Well said Alisa. Thank you so much for your time today and best of luck with your book.
Alisa: Thank you Nancy.
For more information go to Alisa’s website at http://earnmykeep.com/