Financial Fortress: A Game that Teaches Financial Literacy to Children in Children’s Homes
29. November 2024A unique experiential game called Financial Fortress aims to develop financial literacy among children from children’s homes. The interactive game has been presented at the Faculty of Management and Economics (FaME) of Tomas Bata University in Zlín. The authors of the game are Dr Bohumila Svitáková, Lecturer and Assistant Professor at the Department of Finance and Accounting, and third-year student Lucie Bohuslavová. They designed the game in cooperation with directors and representatives of children’s homes to best meet the needs of young people growing up in foster care.
On 26 November, directors and representatives of children’s homes from the Zlín Region had the opportunity to try out the game for themselves. The aim was not only to demonstrate the principles of the game, but also to find out the benefits for the children and literally tailor the game.
“We really appreciate the cooperation with the children’s homes. I believe that the game will greatly contribute to the development of financial literacy and ease the children’s transition from the children’s home to real life. We will be happy if we can at least make it easier for them to enter the financial “jungle” in this way,” said Dr Bohumila Svitáková.
The game Financial Fortress simulates real life of adults. Players try their hand at earning money, paying for housing and other necessary expenses, and resisting the temptations of “bargain” purchases and quick loans. The game includes eight key decision points that show children the importance of not only managing money, but also developing the habit of saving regularly. The game is aimed at children aged 15 and over.
“Children from orphanages often don’t have enough opportunities to learn about money. This game teaches them how to handle money responsibly and how to avoid financial traps,” said Lucie Bohuslavová, co-author of the game.
The event was attended by fourteen representatives of children’s homes, who appreciated not only the game itself, but also its contribution to the children’s future employment.
“I am excited about the project because this activity is of great benefit to our children. We ourselves train our children in financial literacy, but it is still not enough. Unfortunately, for the last two or three years there has been no training or project, so we are glad that this project has been launched in cooperation with the FaME,” said Eva Ledvinová, Director of the Children’s Home at Lazy in Zlín.
The Faculty of Management and Economics has been cooperating with children’s homes on various projects for many years. Students of the Faculty regularly go to orphanages to tutor younger children and teach them about financial literacy. “”In addition, the Faculty participates in the implementation of the successful long-term project Entrepreneurship Camp with the ZET Foundation of Prof. Milan Zelený, the aim of which is to help children from children’s homes develop their entrepreneurial dreams and show them how to start their future careers,” said Prof. David Tuček, Vice-Dean for Strategic Development at the FaME.