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I have never heard so much interaction between my children. It has really made me realize my children are tuned in to what is going on around them, remember what they hear and can repeat those phrases and sounds during play. It has been fascinating to listen to. -- Mother of three, Chicago, IL
Child-sized market push cart that can be used as a bakery, fruit stand or ice cream shop. The market has a chalkboard sign, two wheels and a handle. Play cash register, money and food items are all included.
Approx. Price: $99.99 Box Age Range: 3+ yrs # of Pieces: 11-50 Washability: Surface Wipe Storability: Bulky Directions: Simple Play Locations: Indoor and Outdoor Adjustability: None Levels of Play: Three Levels Batteries: None needed
Upright Position for Play
Simple
Different Shapes and/or Colors
Familiar Objects/Pictures
Easy to Grasp/Hold
Provides Pretend Play Opportunities
Hands-on Approach to Learning
Realistic
Promotes Active Play
High Quality
Many Accessories
Durable
High Contrasting Colors
Tactilely Stimulating
Visually Stimulating
Wide Age Range
Open-ended
Can Be Used Independently or w/Others
Incorporates Fundamental Learning Skills
Fosters Imagination/Promotes Creativity
Developmental processes promoted
Object Recognition and Identification
Categorization
Color Recognition and Identification
Counting/Beginning Math
Cooperative Hand Movements
Turn Taking
Creativity
Visual Discrimination
Money Skills
Motor Planning
Physical Range of Motion
Finger and Hand Control and Dexterity
Problem Solving
Imagination/Pretend Play
Social Interaction
Pre-Literacy
Life Skills
Functional Finger Movement and Exploration
Reaching/Arm Extension
Spatial Relationships e.g. Under, Over, On, Off
Visual Processing
Memory and Recall
Language Development
Sorting and Classification
Object Permanence
Action Concepts e.g. In/Out, Push/Pull, On/Off, Go/Stop
The individual pieces are sized for children’s smaller hands and have sufficient visual and tactile detail to make them readily identifiable by sight or touch.
Play is open ended. There is no right or wrong way to play.
The set is large enough without being overwhelming to a child.
The set and the play that takes place are easy to understand.
This toy is visually appealing.
Skills
Children can identify colors and shapes using the market and all the accessories.
Auditory processing is a part of play when children listen and respond to their customers.
Texture differentiation can be targeted as children feel and identify the shapes and textures of the accessories.
Play Ideas
Take turns being the customer and worker. Embellish play with a worker’s apron, grocery bag or play cart.
Play matching games with the fruit. Identify its match by touch alone.
Adaptation Ideas
Embellish the market and accessories by adding different textures. For instance, place rubber nonskid shelf liner, cloth or sand paper on the shelves.
The play food items are very realistic and familiar to children. This helps children begin to understand the concept of pretend play. They are more likely to pretend play with objects they are already familiar with; such as food they know, as opposed to novel, abstract “things”.
Play is open ended. There is no right or wrong way to play.
Children can play independently or together with this set.
The set is large enough without being overwhelming to a child.
The set and the play that takes place are easy to understand.
Skills
Choice making skills are incorporated into play as children choose what foods they want to purchase.
A wide range of vocabulary can be used during play including nouns, adjectives and verbs.
Children can identify colors and shapes using the market and all the accessories.
Verbal communication and social etiquette skills can be targeted as children take turns being the customer and the worker.
Simple writing practice can take place as children write their name or the name of their store on the front chalkboard.
Pretend play and imagination can be heightened during play.
Play Ideas
Take turns being the customer and worker. Embellish play with a worker’s apron, grocery bag or play cart.
Count items sold as they are placed one by one into a bag, basket or cart.
Practice such verbal greetings as, “Good morning. May I help you?”
Act out typical interactions at a market. Take turns being the customer and asking such questions as, “What flavor ice cream is on sale?” “Is the fruit fresh?” and “How many oranges are available for purchase?” This type of interaction incorporates listening, auditory processing, receptive and expressive language.
Act out scenes to heighten social etiquette. Create a scene that a customer or worker is not acting appropriately. Talk about why that was wrong. Then recreate the scene using appropriate words and actions.
For children who become over-stimulated by many pieces, limit the number of accessories given to a child. Gradually increase that number as children become more familiar and comfortable with the set.
Play games such as, “My grandmother went to the market and in it she bought something that is orange (or begins with the letter B, or something that goes in the freezer, etc.).” This game will encourage verbal exchange, memory and recall skills and question formation.
Play is open ended. There is no right or wrong way to play.
Children can play independently or together with this set.
The set is large enough without being overwhelming to a child.
The set and the play that takes place are easy to understand.
The play food items are very realistic and familiar to children. This helps children begin to understand the concept of pretend play. They are more likely to pretend play with objects they are already familiar with; such as food they know, as opposed to novel, abstract “things”.
Skills
Children can identify colors and shapes using the market and all the accessories.
Math skills can be incorporated into play as children count the fruit and use the debit/charge card and play money to purchase their produce.
Children can learn action words such as open and close by raising and lowering the awning.
Verbal communication and social etiquette skills can be targeted as children take turns being the customer and the worker.
Simple writing practice can take place as children write their name or the name of their store on the front chalkboard.
Pretend play and imagination can be heightened during play.
Play Ideas
Take turns being the customer and worker. Embellish play with a worker’s apron, grocery bag or play cart.
Count items sold as they are placed one by one into a bag, basket or cart.
Use the cash register to act out transactions. This can help children identify numbers and incorporate individual finger movements.
For children who become over-stimulated by many pieces, limit the number of accessories given to a child. Gradually increase that number as children become more familiar and comfortable with the set.
Adaptation Ideas
Add Velcro or elastic bands on the accessories to make handling easier.
Remove sliding doors for easier accessibility.
Use self adhesive Velcro to attach the cash register to counter.
The set is compact in size. Children can reach all areas while in a stationary position.
The accessories can be used independent of the market stand.
The set and the play that takes place are easy to understand.
The shelves provide ample room to place the accessory pieces. Precision in placement is not needed. This helps children who have limited eye-hand coordination skills.
Skills
Wrist rotation and bilateral coordination skills are used to scoop ice cream for the cones.
Raise and lower the awning to incorporate arm extension and reaching.
Sliding the doors open to choose items to purchase will help children cross midline during play.
Sliding the charge/debit card through the cash register can help practice pincer grasp and increase hand strength.
Encourage a child to use isolated fingers to press the buttons on the cash register. Note: only one button works. It opens the register.
Gross motor skills can be used to hold the handle, raise one side and push the two-wheeled cart to another location.
Simple writing practice can take place as children write their name or the name of their store on the front chalkboard.
Reaching and arm extension is heightened as children swipe the credit card in the slot on the cash register.
Play Ideas
Take turns being the customer and worker. Embellish play with a worker’s apron, grocery bag or play cart.
Select items for purchase by sliding doors open to reach in and pick up pieces of play food. This activity can help children practice using their hands cooperatively and can increase whole hand grasp opportunities.
Have children hold an ice cream cone in their strong hand and place ice cream on it with their weak hand. Keeping their strong hand busy will help children use and strengthen their weak side.
Adaptation Ideas
Place a piece of self-adhesive Velcro on each item and then have the child where a knit glove or mitten during play. The Velcro will attach to the mitten lessening the need for hand control and grasp.
Place nonskid shelf liner on the shelves to help keep the food in place.
Place self-adhesive Velcro on the cones and scoops of ice cream so the ice cream will stay on the cones.
