...Simple Steps to Successful Parenting
BEST PARENTING ADVICE
BEST STARTS FOR KIDS
Pretending Shopping Can Teach
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Set up a pretend shop using packaging and have your child buy the items.
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This activity caters well to different aged children
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Introducing new knowledge & terminology can be done over time
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The game is open ended and the complexity can be increased by adding more props
Level 1 (2-4 years olds)
The Shopper pays for individual items one at a time with claps which they count into the shop keepers hand.
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Maths Skills:
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Rote counting
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1:1 correlation
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Language Terminology:
more, too much, pay, your change, enough, not enough, keep going, stop, buy, buying, sell, selling
Level 2 (3-4 year olds)
The Shopper uses a number of tokens or coins and counts them out to complete the purchase.
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Maths Skills:
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Rote counting
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1:1 correlation
Language Terminology: New: coins, dollars,purse, wallet, price, correct
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more, too much, pay, your change, enough, not enough, keep going, stop, buy, buying, sell, selling
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Level 3 (4-6 years)
The Shopper matches the numeral on the coin, or token, to the price written on the item. They can also refer to a pre-prepared price chart.
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This requires prices to be written onto boxes. For younger children you can add the number of dots any number would represent. This also scaffolds self-correcting and independent play.
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Maths Skills:
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Rote counting
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1:1 correlation
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Linking a symbol to represent a numerical amount
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Beginning numeral recognition
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Language Terminology: New: number, chart, price
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more, too much, pay, your change, enough, not enough, keep going, stop, buy, buying, sell, selling, coins, dollars,purse, wallet, price, correct
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You could add dots next to amounts scaffolding learning for younger kids
If you don't have plastic foods use photos or real foods with sticker prices on them.
$3
$4
$1
$1
$2
$2
$1
$4
Level 3 (4-6 years)
The Shopper uses a shopping list (they can write their own if you provide a model) to locate items and pay for items individually.
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For younger children you can draw the amount of items (e.g. 2 apples instead of just one , 5 oranges, etc)
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Maths Skills:
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Rote counting
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1:1 correlation
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Numeral recognition
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Linking a symbol to represent a numerical amount
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Language Terminology: New: list, items, match, matching, same amount, cost the same, correct amount, less than, more than
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more, too much, pay, your change, enough, not enough, keep going, stop, buy, buying, sell, selling, coins, dollars,purse, wallet, price, correct, number, chart, price
N.B. Money can pose a choking hazard. You need to ensure that children do not put money in their mouths and supervise to ensure their safety.
Level 4 (6-8 Years)
The Shopper uses real or pretend money and supplies the correct amount.
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Maths Skills:
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Rote counting
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1:1 correlation
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Numeral recognition
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Linking a symbol to represent a numerical amount
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Recognizing and using real money
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Becoming aware of equal values of money using different coins
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Adding to make particular amounts
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Language Terminology: New: gold, silver, worth more, worth less, compare, add together to equal
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more, too much, pay, your change, enough, not enough, keep going, stop, buy, buying, sell, selling, coins, dollars, purse, wallet, price, correct, number, chart, price, list, items, match, matching, same amount, cost the same, correct amount, less than, more than
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Level 5 (7+ Years)
The child becomes the shopkeeper and has to tally the total and then supply correct amounts of change.
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Maths Skills:
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Rote counting
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1:1 correlation
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Numeral recognition
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Linking a symbol to represent a numerical amount
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Recognizing and using real money
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Becoming aware of equal values of money using different coins
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Adding to make particular amounts
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Subtracting to make particular amounts
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Language Terminology: New: total, tally, add, subtract, give the correct change, lots of, multiplied by
Revision
more, too much, pay, your change, enough, not enough, keep going, stop, buy, buying, sell, selling, coins, dollars, purse, wallet, price, correct, number, chart, price, list, items, match, matching, same amount, cost the same, correct amount, less than, more than, gold, silver, worth more, worth less, compare, add together to equal
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