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Opening Today: Financial Literacy Program Teaches Small Kids About Money

For the past three months, I have had the pleasure of developing a media relations campaign for a program that introduces young children to the concept of money.  The program made its debut this month with some great media coverage -- including an interview on NBC's Money Matters with Consumer Reporter Tracy Davidson.  Check out the program details and press clips below.

View more videos at: http://www.nbcphiladelphia.com.

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

Financial literacy programming introduces young children to the concepts of earning, saving, spending and investing. Financial Literacy at Please Touch Museum runs Tuesday, August 2, 2011 through Friday, September 30, 2011. 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. Activities are included in the regular price of admission. Program activities that will debut at Please Touch Museum as part of Financial Literacy will include:

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

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 Start Financial Literacy Workshops
First Financial Group presents MassMutual’s Kids $mart Start financial literacy workshops to help parents teach their children all 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
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
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 of events, visit www.pleasetouchmuseum.org or call 215- 581-3181.

SAMPLE OF MEDIA CLIPS

* http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2011/07/28/please-touch-museum-hosts-financial-literacy-program-for-kids/ 
* http://www.metrokids.com/MetroKids/August-2011/First-Look-Financial-Literacy-at-the Please-Touch-Museum/
* http://www.frugalphillymom.com/2011/07/giveaway-preview-please-touch-museums.html
* http://www.thefirstfinancialgroup.com/please-touch-museum-partnership.asp
* http://www.phillyfunguide.com/event/detail/440828421/Financial_Literacy_Program
* http://phoenixville.patch.com/events/financial-literacy-program-for-children
* http://www.examiner.com/early-childhood-parenting-in-philadelphia/the-playhouse-at-please-touch-museum-jazz-penny-pinching-more

Perform “Random Acts of Hospitality” in the City of Hospitality….Philadelphia!

Have you ever walked down Market Street and someone hailed a cab for you?  Have you ever gotten lost someone stopped to point you in the right direction?  Have you ever asked for recommendations for where to visit or eat, and had someone generously talk about all their favorite places?  Has anyone ever made your day just by smiling at you?  This week, Mayor Michael A. Nutter, along with groups like Please Touch Museum and the Greater Philadelphia Hotel Association, will brighten the day of Philadelphians and visitors, and encourage others to pay it forward, by performing “Random Acts of Hospitality," as part of the U.S. Travel Association’s National Travel & Tourism Week. 

Mayor Nutter kicked off the campaign on Tuesday, May 10, 2011, in the picturesque Love Park as part of U.S. Travel Rally Day.  He was joined by Ben Franklin and hundreds of hospitality industry workers to encourage people to open a door for someone else, offer to take a picture for a visitor in front of a Philadelphia landmark, give directions to someone who looks lost and more.  Local tourist attractions have been armed with stickers for visitors and staff who perform a "Random Act of Hospitality." To participate, watch for signs at participating tourist attractions this week, or follow the movement on Twitter #phillylovesme.

To learn more about National Travel and Tourism Week, visit www.ustravel.org/marketing/national-travel-and-tourism-week.

May the 4th Be With You!

Please Touch Museum  (PTM) transported visitors to a galaxy far, far away during “May the 4^th Be With You."   In celebration of the unofficial Star Wars Day, PTM hosted Star Wars toy displays, space-themed programs, and Star Wars characters.  

Since its premiere in 1977, Star Wars has played an important role in pop culture and childhood play. Movies, comic books, lunchboxes, activity books, toys and action figures provided children with important tools to expand their imaginations.  Many of these items have remained popular over the last thirty years, and have since become collectibles for children of all ages.  PTM displayed more than 100 vintage and contemporary Star Wars toys from the museum’s greater collection of over 20,000 toys and play objects.

In addition to the toy collections, PTM hosted a "Far Far Out Dance Party," in conjunction with Jedi Knights, from PA Jedi. Princess Amidala hosted story-time in the Story Castle. The 501^st Garrison Carida presented Stormtroopers, Darth Vader, Darth Maul and Boba Fett for photographs with children. The villains will also led the “Imperial March” End of Day Parade.  Children were also treated to a very special surprise guest -- Chewbacca! 

On-going museum programming included a trip to the outer reaches of the galaxy in the permanent space-themed gallery, “Flight Fantasy.”  The Elaine-Wideman Vaughn Program Room, adjacent to “Flight Fantasy,” also hosted star map painting, along with other activities.

PTM's "May the 4th Be With You" activities received a lot of press in the deep, outer reaches of the universe - blog universe that is!  CW/CBS Philly, KYW 1060 News Radio, and WHYY/Newsworks also covered the event.  Check out the footage below: 

For information about other fun activities at Please Touch Museum, please call 215-581-3181, or visit www.pleasetouchmuseum.org.  Please "like" Please Touch Museum on Facebook at www.facebook.com/pleasetouchmuseum .