By: Greta Schraer
Grocery shopping is a great way to teach a child math skills. A child can learn to recognize numbers and shapes, count money, make change, and even learn about weight and volume. Why not make your weekly grocery trip a fun and educational lesson?
The following are some activities to try. They can be altered to the appropriate skill level and interest of the child.
- Have the child make a numbered grocery list. It can be as short or as long as appropriate.
- Discuss food groups and quantities of items. Example: How many fruits are on your list?
- Compare sizes and shapes of food items.
- Count items in the cart.
- Compare prices.
- Read nutrition labels. What do the percentages mean?
- Compare like foods with different volumes.
- Weigh produce or deli foods.
- Talk about coupons and subtract the difference of savings from the regular price.
- Bring a calculator and have the child add all the prices of the items on the list.
- Let the child pay for the groceries with cash and receive the change.