Shopping List Word Practice

Paper

Crayons or markers

A pen for checking off items at the store

Before a store trip, sit down with paper and crayons.

Ask: "What do we need to buy?" Start with 5-6 items.

Draw a simple picture and write the word for each item.

Let your child help draw or scribble next to your pictures.

At the store, hand them the list: "What's first? Can you find it?"

Name items together as they find them: "Bananas! Check it off!"

Let them physically mark off each item.

Describe items: "These bananas are yellow and soft. We'll eat them for snack."

A picture shopping list introduces print awareness — the idea that marks on paper carry meaning and purpose. Your child sees that the word "banana" next to the picture represents the real thing in the store. That's a foundational literacy concept.

Let your child's drawings be messy. The point isn't art quality — it's the act of putting ideas on paper, which is emergent writing.

Keep the list to 5-6 items for this age. A focused list keeps them engaged for the whole trip rather than losing interest halfway through.

This turns a potentially stressful grocery run into a collaborative learning adventure. Your child has a job (finding items), which keeps them occupied and builds responsibility.