A Trip to the Grocery Store

Everyday activities can easily be learning experiences for preschoolers! 

There are many valuable lessons to be learned from the common task of grocery shopping but today I want to take the opportunity to focus on just math and literacy skills. Let me just say as a mom myself I took three children under the age of five with me to go grocery shopping and was able to accomplish lessons on most trips. It does take a few minutes longer and it does take intention but I promise the extra effort will be worth it when your  child starts to pick up on these skills! Below you'll find ways to enhance the experience, examples on how to do it and precisely what skills will be learned.

MATH SKILLS

• Count items before adding them to the cart

• How many bananas are in the bundle? How many grocery bags did we fill?

This focuses on object counting skills

• Weigh produce and compare heavier and lighter items

• Do the onions weigh more than the lettuce?

This teaches about measurements

• Identify the colors of produce or packaging

• What color is the box of Cheerios?

This teaches colors

• Point out numbers

• How much does the milk cost? (point out the dollars)

This teaches number recognition

• Compare item sizes

• Which box of crackers is taller? Which jar of salsa is wider?

This teaches math comparison terms

LITERACY SKILLS

• Make a list together

• Tell your child what you need to add to the list, write it and show them the words added

• Read the list items while shopping and point them out

This teaches that words are written and read

• Find a letter on signs and packages

• Look at the A in apples or the B on the Bounty paper towels.

This teaches letter recognition

• Emphasize the first sound of items as you add them to the cart

• Pretzels start with a 'pa' sound for the letter 'p'

This teaches phonological awareness (letter sounds)

• Read the signs

• Point to the big sign on the way into the store, those letters spell City Market

This teaches that letters make words

 

DIY Journals 

(Fine Motor Skills Activity)

The most common question I've been asked at parent teacher conferences is what can I do to help my child at home. Workbooks, flashcards and drilling is NOT the answer. At the preschool level the two things I tell every parent to do at home is READ and give time for kids to develop fine motor skills. 

This activity is a fast, simple way to let kids develop fine motor skills. They are involved in creating a journal that's theirs that they can take pride and ownership in. The key part is to allow the kids the freedom to add to the pages as they want to. Some will color every page, some will write stories, some will write marks on each page but since there is no right or wrong every child succeeds at this activity. 

You can help prompt your child with ideas like: draw what we saw today at the park, or write me a story about our trip to the grocery store.

Materials:

Blank Computer Paper (Amazon: Copy Paper)

Construction Paper (Amazon: Crayola Construction Paper)

Stapler

Directions:

1. Fold 5 pieces of blank computer paper in half and set aside. 

2. Have your child pick their favorite colored construction paper and fold in half (This will be the cover). 

3. Place the white paper inside of the construction paper.

4. Staple along the folded seam of the papers to create a spine for the journal.

5. Allow your child to color, 'write' or draw anything the want to. 

INSTRUCTIONAL VIDEO

TIP:

Journals are great to take with you on summer travels too! Make a few journals ahead of time then add a box of crayons and throw into a reusable snack bag and you have a grab and go activity ready. (I like these Amazon: 1/2 Gallon Silcone Snack Bags but anything that keeps the crayons contained and the paper dry and flat will work).

 Homemade Kool-Aid Play Dough

Materials:

3 packets of Kool-Aid (you can get a bulk or on Amazon: Kool-Aid)
2 cups of flour
1 cup of salt
4 tablespoons cream of tarter (we get our on Amazon: Cream of Tarter) 
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 cups boiling water

Directions:

1. In a large bowl add all dry ingredients and mix well (salt, flour, cream of tartar, Kool-Aid)
2. Add the oil and boiling water to the mixture and mis with a large spoon until it becomes firm
3. It should cool enough to handle after a few minutes of stirring. Spread flour on container or cutting board (like you would do with bread). Use your hands to knead in more flour until mixture doesn't feel sticky.

WELCOME!

 Starting up a blog!

Over the past few months I've gotten a lot of feedback from parents that they like the tips, tricks and ideas that are sometimes shared on social media or in our school newsletter but would love more. So as a service to our parents I am starting a blog! I'll be adding posts weekly with a variety of topics like: potty training, at home activity ideas, meal prep, basic tips/tricks, local resources and MUCH more!