Shopping with Kids

We believe a trip to the shop is a very valuable learning experience for children. Yes, we know it can be frustrating for parents, but we reason that parents should use these opportunities for the best.

It is also inevitable, most of the time, as younger kids cannot be left home alone, and you shouldn’t guess what’s trendy to wear without your teen present.

When you shop, do you avoid or minimize taking kids along?

5 Reasons why primary schoolers should join shopping trips

1. They practice their reading, writing and math skills.

Kids can compile the shopping list at home and read it whilst grocery shopping. They can calculate by adding and subtracting the cost of items or the total bill. Children can also estimate what things cost – this can start as a guessing game with single items and later the cost of a dish or a dessert with multiple ingredients. When they are older they can search for recipes in your cooking books or online and read the list while in the aisle with baking ingredients. Challenge them to double the recipe and to convert kilograms into grams or to milliliters.

2. They practice planning.

Include your children in the planning of the following:

• The next dinner with friends
  • discuss things like how many guests will be attending, the size of each portion, the cost per head, etc.
• The buying of birthday gifts
  • talk about the spacing of all friends and family’s birthdays, each friend’s budget and how to take their age, needs and likes into consideration when deciding which gifts would be ideal.
• Next season’s wardrobe
  • Look through her closet and plan together – what clothing items does she have that still fit, how many pants does she need, what colours will be best based on what she already has, and then announce the budget. Then start shopping and practice sticking to your planned list.
• Christmas gift shopping.

Let them have a say in the decisions and then use the opportunity to discuss financial aspects. It will help them realise that one needs to plan ahead as each month has a few extra expenses to consider.

On another note – instill the importance of giving back to the Lord and those in need by also including them in planning how your family can contribute.

3. They practice spending wisely.

It is important to teach them to consider and compare quality, to notice quantity, to learn about brands that are healthier or better for them, to read tags and labels, and to compare prices, so that they learn to take the time to think carefully before making a purchasing decision. Start by talking them through your own thinking and eventually encourage them to practice their reasoning on you by stating why this particular item is an excellent choice.

4. They practice budgeting.

Does your son know how far R50 can take him? Children need to grasp money’s value at some time. Turn the Wednesday afternoon errand into a life lesson by giving your child money (in cash) to purchase snacks for this week’s community meeting.

5. They practice delayed gratification.

Saving for an expensive item is an ideal opportunity. Their understanding of whether or not they can afford something comes from practicing using their own money.