We can choose a large supermarket, a solidarity market, an ecological store, a fashion surface or second-hand clothing ... The case is transform our room or living room into a little shop in which each one represents a role.
Children will love to put themselves in the shoes of the mother or father who makes the purchase. Some, those who start reading, will want to bring their own list so they don't forget anything. They are the children transformed into a father or mother, while the elders or other siblings can become their children in this game, who also accompany to make the purchase and help the parents.
Others will prefer to be in charge of the store, or the cashier ... and make their first numbers in the account or doodles in the inventory, help find what customers want, facilitate changes ...
On the floor, in boxes or on shelves we will have the product in question, food, clothes ... They can be miniature (like the products that go in the toy shopping carts, or the doll's clothes), or created by the children: in drawings or using other objects. We can create our currency, a box, carry a wallet ...
Ideally, avoid shopping cart toys that mimic real brands, and invent our own brands or opt for foreign miniature products that are not recognizable here. Although children quickly understand that we do not want to buy (in reality) this or that brand because it seems expensive, of poor quality ...
It is not about inciting consumerism (we ourselves have to apply the story) but about promoting a responsible purchase (or an exchange) in which all family members participate. And by the way a healthy purchase in which fruits and vegetables are not lacking, for example.
But above all it is about children playing different characters, adopting different roles in this symbolic game, and playing in family.
Playing tents children have fun and they learn a lot, surely if they accompany us to make the purchase they will know how to develop perfectly. And, on the contrary, if they have not yet gone with you to the supermarket, they can learn how they can collaborate so that everything is easier, that they help us by fulfilling a role, however small.
