Few things make a child feel like a grown-up the way a savings account can. Graduating from piggy bank to big person bank is a big step. Banking exposes them to the many decisions they can make regarding their money -- to spend, to save, or if they're really Foolish kids, to invest. And each month those decisions are spelled out on their bank statement, addressed directly to them.

Banks want to help pass along these important lessons to children. Almost all banks and savings and loans have special no-fee or low-fee "young saver" accounts designed to introduce children to the world of checking and savings. Ask your branch manager if they offer special accounts for children.

For an online introduction to banking for the munchkins check out KidsBank.Com sponsored by Sovereign Bank. Not only does it encourage kids to save, but it shows how money is made, tells what "electric funds transfer" means, and even teaches kids how to figure the interest on a savings account.

A couple of our Fools at HQ reminisce about first checking accounts. In Cents and Sensibility, TMF Catlst recounts the adventure of trying to convince her son his money was just as safe in the bank as it was in the big jar on his dresser. In The Bank of Mom, TMF Amused shows us that you don't even need a "real" bank to learn about banking.

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