Vision Boards in Financial Literacy
“The clearer you are when visualizing your dreams, the brighter the spotlight will be to lead you on the right path.”
As high school financial literacy teachers, we strive to equip our students with the knowledge and skills to make sound financial decisions. However, financial literacy encompasses more than just numbers and concepts—it also involves shaping a positive mindset, setting goals, and making intentional choices. One powerful tool that can support these objectives is the vision board. In this blog post, we will explore the benefits of having students generate a vision board to guide their financial decisions. By harnessing the power of visualization and goal setting, we can empower our students to take charge of their financial future and develop lifelong financial well-being.
Fostering Goal Clarity and Intentionality:
Vision boards provide a tangible and visual representation of students' financial goals and aspirations. By encouraging students to create a vision board that reflects their financial dreams, we help them gain clarity about their objectives. This process enables students to identify their financial priorities, distinguish between wants and needs, and set specific and measurable goals. The act of envisioning their financial future instills intentionality and purpose, laying a solid foundation for effective financial planning and decision-making. What better time for them to identify their values and priorities that NOW?
Igniting Motivation and Engagement:
When students can visualize their dreams and aspirations, they are more likely to stay motivated and engaged in the pursuit of their financial goals. Vision boards serve as constant reminders of what students are working towards, creating a sense of excitement and inspiration. By regularly interacting with their vision boards, students tap into the power of visualization, which enhances their belief in their ability to achieve their financial aspirations. This increased motivation and engagement lead to greater perseverance and a proactive approach to managing their finances.
Cultivating Financial Mindset and Responsibility:
Vision boards offer an opportunity to cultivate a positive financial mindset and develop responsible financial behaviors. Through the creation and review of their vision boards, students begin to internalize the principles of financial literacy. They gain a deeper understanding of the impact of their financial decisions and the importance of budgeting, saving, and investing. Vision boards can also incorporate elements of financial responsibility, such as reminders to track expenses, avoid debt, and make informed purchasing choices. By integrating financial concepts into the vision board process, we empower students to become financially responsible individuals.
Strengthening Decision-Making Skills:
Creating a vision board requires students to make choices and prioritize their financial goals. It prompts them to evaluate the potential trade-offs and consequences of their decisions. As students curate images and symbols that represent their financial aspirations, they develop critical thinking skills and the ability to make informed choices aligned with their values and long-term objectives. These decision-making skills transcend financial matters and become valuable assets in other areas of their lives. Understanding delayed gratification and the power of putting off their instant satisfaction is essential in executing the decision making process.
Encouraging Collaboration and Reflection:
Vision boards can also foster a sense of community and collaboration among students. By sharing their vision boards with classmates, they have the opportunity to learn from and be inspired by their peers. Group discussions and reflections on their vision boards can generate valuable insights, support, and feedback. This collaborative aspect enhances the overall learning experience and encourages students to hold themselves accountable for their financial goals.
Integrating vision boards into our financial literacy curriculum offers numerous benefits for high school students. As teachers, let's seize this opportunity to guide our students on their financial journey, empowering them to make informed choices, take control of their financial well-being, and build a brighter future. Together, we can shape financially savvy individuals who are equipped to navigate the complexities of the financial world with confidence.
For help implementing vision boards into your Financial Literacy classroom, click the image below for a low-prep resourced that has the steps and resources provided for you and your students. It includes background information, teacher resource guides, student handouts, assignment sheets, a viewable presentation to share with large or small groups, a Google Form for a streamlined and smooth process for collecting student work, a Google JamBoard template, a grading rubric, and more!
RELATED: Visualization is powerful when striving to reach financial goals. A great follow up activity to making a vision board is to have students write an article about their success FROM THE FUTURE as though their success has already happened. Their SUCCESS STORY is written from a future perspective where they speculate and reflect on their successes that are waiting for them. IT IS FREE!
