The grocery store may be a common activity for some, but for others, it can be an overwhelming experience. There are so many sights, sounds, and smells going on around us. These can cause some stress and anxiety, but let’s turn this experience into a positive one with some helpful tips and a little preparation.
Last week, we talked about community outings and some ideas for preparation. You can read that post on our website here:
https://blog.loveandcompanytherapies.com/2024/03/02/community-outings/
Why we love the grocery store for community outings
The grocery store can teach us so many things!
- Social interactions
- Academics, like math, exchanging money, and making change
- Following directions
- Natural opportunities for waiting
- Safety- stay close to your adult
- Science- when Ben is learning how to make something new, we go to the grocery store and buy one made and get the ingredients to make our own. Example: I am going to teach you how to make a key lime pie. This is what the one from Publix tastes like. Here is our list so we can make one too. This really helps get him excited to try new things. He can also watch the bakery employees making cakes. He could watch this all day.
- Ordering- you can ask for things as simple as your free cookie at Publix to learn how to make requests to new people or something bigger like ordering a sandwich.
- Learning about food groups or different foods.
I could go on for hours with my list! For now, I want to help you get your child comfortable to the point where these things are easy and fun.
Social Story
A social story to teach can teach your child what to expect at the grocery store if this is not a typical trip for you. I made one for you, along with other activities included in this post. Using a social story can help reduce some of the stress and anxiety in unfamiliar situations.
Making a List
Preparing a list together can help give your child a purpose as to why you need to go to the store. Maybe include some favorite items as a motivator too. There are two levels for a list included in this week’s activity.
Grocery Store Tips
- Make your first trip intended to be brief, if this is new. Choose a couple things you need to get on your first trip and do not make it a long trip. Just get used to the environment. You do not have to put additional pressure on having your child find the things on the list you made with them the first few times if they do not seem comfortable. You know your child best. Definitely show them how you found the items though! This will be important for future learning. Some children will need more than one trip like this. Do as many quick trips as you need. Have you seen Caroline Carts? The carts give your child a place to sit during shopping trips. For some children, it helps calm them a little. This is how Ben learned how to shop. He will still use these if the store has one available.
- Practice staying close to your adult(s). Work on holding hands or have your child push the cart or push it together. Safety is always the most important thing!
- Take photos of the food(s) you typically buy. You can have them printed, label the back of the photo, and use them as flash cards. Real photos are great! Next time use these to have your child pick out the food and place it in the cart.
- Praise your child for doing great. If they are holding your hand well, pushing the cart with you, listening, etc. Anything they are doing that you like, tell them! Their self-esteem needs this right now.
- Bring or do something engaging or comforting for waiting in line. Your child might just want to hold on to their stuffed animal or maybe they want to say the alphabet 20 times like mine. Whatever they are into, try to come up with a way to do it in a line.
- Do not get upset if it doesn’t work out the first time. Keep trying. Some children just take time to be acclimated to new situations. When I was a child, the movie theater was the scariest experience in the world for me and I would just stim until the movie was over. It took a bit before I got used to that experience. My youngest just runs right into the movies so excited, but he cannot handle an elevator. My point is that everyone is different and we all need time. Give your child time and opportunities to get comfortable, and let them be your guide. When they are ready to start grocery store scavenger hunts or ordering that delicious Publix cookie.
Here is our free resource of the week. A social story about the grocery store, comprehension activities, a list template, and a parent guide to go along with it. Click on “DOWNLOAD.”
I do hope you have a safe and fun trip to the grocery store. Remember to ask your Love & Co. Therapists about coming along for the trip to help you out!
Love & Co. Therapeutic Interventions
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