"I have to get money at the ATM."

Adults may say this when they need to get cash. Have you ever thought about what an ATM is and how it works? It's not a magic money machine!

The letters ATM stand for automated teller machine. An ATM can do some of the things a human teller can do, such as give cash from a checking or savings account.

When your parents use an ATM, they need to insert a special card into the machine. This card is connected with their account. A dark strip on the back of the card stores information about their account, and the ATM reads it. The ATM asks for a special number (a secret code!) that must be entered before the machine works.

After the ATM accepts the code, a screen shows it is OK to take out money. The machine has a special "electric eye" that counts bills so it doesn't give out more money than it should!

Grown-ups like ATMs because they make life easier. When you are older, you may use an ATM and see how it helps save time!