Today’s post is written by Bren, a contributor to PreKinders.
A couple of times a year I open a “Snack Store”. During centers the preschoolers take turns ordering their snack. They each get 5 pennies and a menu that lists the items (with pictures) and their cost. We spend a few minutes talking about the foods and learning their sign language signs. As the preschooler marks an item on their menu, they pay with the correct number of pennies (they do not take the food item). It’s important to use a pencil with an eraser and give each preschooler plenty of time, because they will change their minds.
At snack time, their personalized snack is served to them on a plate. Yumm!
Get FREE updates!
Join here to get weekly emails with free printables and activities for Pre-K!
We collect, use, and process your data according to our Privacy Policy.
Don't worry - we never sell or share email addresses!
Don't worry - we never sell or share email addresses!
I would like to do this with my prekindergarten class. However, where can I get the cards that was used to check off the items chosen?
Hi Ivy, I made the menus on my computer in Print Shop. I use the same template each time, but the foods change depending on what I’m offering for snack that day.
What a great idea! It’s back to school time for me and this would be great to introduce to my new class. Thanks for sharing.
Hi! My name is Leslie Legg. I am the director, and 4’s and Young 5’s teacher at Franklin Community Preschool in the Village of Franklin, Michigan.
Karen, I completely love your Pre-Kinders website, resources and ideas! I have incorporated many of your strategies and ideas into my own program. I absolutely love the idea of the Snack Store, Bren, and I would love to incorporate this strategy into my program this year. Thank you, Karen, and Pre-Kinders, for sharing your creative, engaging, and developmentally appropriate ideas and strategies. I appreciate your investment in all of us out here in the “wonderful world of preschool” who are trying to make a difference in the lives of young children. Happy School Days! Leslie
Leslie, I too am a director and 4-5 teacher (we are a special kind of crazy!). I totally agree with your comment about the Pre-Kinders website and the cute snack idea from Bren. Karen, you are my go to girl for fabulous ideas for teaching my PK’s :)Thanks for sharing
Terri
This is a great idea! It gives students a chance to make choices.
Love this! I may adapt this to use with my pre-k special ed class. They would love it.
I absolutely love your mails and look forward to them keenly. This is an awesome idea which also develops the frontal area of the brain. Thanks for sharing!
Frieda
Sounds like something the kids would enjoy and learn at the same time! I will give it a try! Thanks!
Love the idea. I will use it with my little ones
What a novel idea. I am from the island of Barbados ( in the Caribbean) I teach remedial reading, but will give this a try with my kids.
I love the Idea. I will forward this my teachers.
Wonderful idea! Introduces their consumer “buying power” as well as incentive to count to five early on….love it!
I love this idea and I know my little ones will love it too.
Thanks a million!
The idea about preschool snack store is a fantastic and a nice step taken for generating more and more sharpening the mind of kids
I am a pre-K teacher. I noticed you have the children’s faces blurred in your pictures. How do you do that. PS Your site is awesome.
Hi Sue, I use a program called Photoshop. In Photoshop, use the elliptical marquee tool, draw a circle over the face, click filter, click blur.
Awesome. Thanks
Great lesson I believe this is a good way to help children learn how to count and in making choices. Will also help when parents take them to restaurants or fast food places . I think it will be amazing in seeing them placing an order.