My dramatic play area changes monthly. In January, we had the grand opening of our Preschool Shoe Store. The Shoe Store provides opportunities for the preschoolers to expand their vocabulary, practice social skills and fine motor skills, as well as explore math concepts.
Today’s post was written by Bren, a contributor to PreKinders.
The Shoe Store “sells” various types of shoes: soccer shoes, boots, swim shoes, party shoes, slippers, getas (Japanese shoes), ballet shoes, etc. There’s a row of small chairs for customers, a cash register with play money and a mat for measuring feet. The mat was made from a solid colored inexpensive rug. Using a permanent marker, I traced around four shoes and labeled them A-D from smallest to largest.
To keep the Shoe Store organized I put pictures of the shoes on the shelves. To include a bit more math, some of the shoes are in shoe boxes. I have a picture of the shoes on top and a number on the box that matches a number on the shelf.
A magazine holder labeled “SHOES” provides a place for the preschoolers to put their shoes while they’re shopping.
The preschoolers continued to explore shoes by making shoe prints with paint and play dough at the Play Dough Table and Art Center.
Most of the shoes for my Shoe Store are from thrift stores. I keep my eyes open for different kinds of shoes in great condition. Parents also donated shoes.
Books about Shoes:
New Shoes, Red Shoes, by Susan Rollings
A Pair of Socks, by Stuart J. Murphy (good for patterns)
The Foot Book, by Dr. Seuss
Smelly Socks, by Robert Munsch
Busy Toes, by C. W. Bowie
Shoes From Grandpa, by Mem Fox
Pete the Cat I Love My White Shoes, by Eric Litwin
Look for more Dramatic Play centers here.
Don't worry - we never sell or share email addresses!
Love this idea, Bren! We’ve never done a shoe store before. I’ve got it pinned!
Bren…go to Ga’s pre-k site – decal.ga.gov. look under Teachers on menu. Look for lesson plans. There is a whole unit on shoes! You may find some new ideas to add to yours. Your pictures are great!
Oooo! Thank you! I have been developing a shoe store theme and have included open and closed signs, pictures of different types of shoes with prices, apron for clerk and pretend cash register, ( an old school telephone with lots of buttons) pencils and paper. The boxes are replaced by the students each year. This is my 3rd year. The name of our store is The Old Woman’s Shoe store named after There was an Old woman who lived in a shoe nursery rhyme.
This would be a nice addition to my community helpers theme week when we talk about different jobs. I set up a grocery story and an office setting. Why not add a shoe store, make the entire community of stores?! Thanks for the idea.
That is a great idea and I will surely keep this in mind. We will be doing a community helpers unit very soon and I think I am going to start contacting shoe stores for some extra boxes. I am so excited that I cannot wait.
The idea of various stores is great! Will share with other teachers!
Hello! I live in Russia and work in the Montessori centre with preschoolers. Very much like Your ideas!!! Always reading Your blog. Thank you very much, because you tell us. We have in Russia there are not so many people who have shared their knowledge and ideas. THANKS again!
So much fun! I just had to pin it, too! 🙂
Hi, I am from Ethiopia and work in the Koreb Acadame Debre Zeite.I appreciate Your ideas!!! Always reading Your blog. Thank you very much,for sharing your knowledge and ideas which help me to now different jobs.
Hi, I love this idea. i got so excited looking at your ideas. I definitely going to do this. I usually turn my drama center into grocery store before we visit our local grocery store. but yours is very clever, my adrenaline got going 🙂 thank you very much…dorie