Please Pick Up a Gallon of Learning - Global Student Network

10 Ways to Make Errands Educational

Errands. They are a necessity to which few people look forward. Yet under threat of bare cupboards and empty gas tanks, we allot a portion of our ever-so-precious time and run hither and yon. But does a day of running errands mean a lost learning day for our kids? Not at all! Here are a few ideas to keep the learning going while you’re on the go.

At the Grocery Store

Besides the lesson in “No, we’re not buying that today” (which can be a difficult lesson for all involved), the grocery store aisles are chock full of great learning. All levels of consumer math can be taught and practiced. For example, ask kids which package of cheese is a better deal – the one pound block for $2 or the three pound block for $5. They can visualize it better by laying out 3 one pound blocks and counting up the price. Then they can compare. “Buy one, get one free!” always catches our attention! Help kids compare the final price per item with other brands and prices. Help them see sometimes BOGO is a great deal – sometimes not so much.

Besides helping kids see where the money is going, you can also point out where the food is coming from. Yes, geography is now available in the produce section! Have kids read the labels indicating where food originates. See if they can picture this place on the globe and describe its location. You can even talk about why that particular food comes from that particular place (I’m thinking climate but there is probably a whole lot of geopolitics an older student could explore).

At the register is the perfect place to practice those money counting skills. After you’ve checked out, have the kids buy something (preferably with their own money) and handle the transaction on their own as much as possible. Counting out money, looking the cashier in the eye and saying “thank you,” taking the receipt and figuring out if the change received back is correct – all important math and life skills.

(At this point, no doubt, you’re thinking, “This person has obviously never shopped with children.” I have. With 5. Thus let me offer this disclaimer: It is not in the best interest of sanity to attempt all of these suggestions in one shopping trip. The outcome could be hazardous to health and well-being. Unless you’re Wonder Woman or Super Man, one or two educational attempts while grocery shopping with children is commendable.)

At the Pump

Filling up the car with gas is another great math opportunity. Kids can estimate how much the gas will cost or, from the final price, figure how many gallons it took to fill up the tank. Turn your trip odometer to 0 when you leave the station and prep the kids to figure gas mileage at the next visit. (Number of miles driven divided by number of gallons required to fill the tank equals miles per gallon).

Just like at the grocery store, the gas station is ripe for a geography lesson (and geopolitics, big time!) Talk about where gas comes from. This lends well itself into a discussion about energy and resources. Ask the kids to think of other ways cars could be powered.

At the Bank

Whether walk-in, drive-up window, or ATM (if you’re running multiple errands with multiple kids, I’m guessing it’s likely to be one of the two latter options), ask the kids what they know about how a bank works. Chances are younger kids are under the impression that an ATM is basically a free money dispenser! (if only!) Talk about how you put money in the bank and how you take it out. If they see you banking online, help them make the connection with the building. Older kids can figure what interest rates can earn or cost.

(Note: Be sure to plan the bank errand at OLC time – that’s Optimum Lollipop Consumption time. This could mean avoiding the bank right before lunch or hitting the bank at a time when 5 minutes of complete silence is desired. Nothing quiets the back seat like kids sucking on lollipops!)

In the Car

Besides a mere conveyance from Point A to Point B, the car can be a classroom. Keep flashcards or trivia cards on hand. Listen to books on CD. Before you leave, write a list of errands. Assign an emerging reader to be in charge of the list. It’s a great boost to their reading confidence! Have kids readout street names. Speculate together the reason behind the street name. Famous person? Descriptive of the area? (Cherry Blossom Drive) Positional? (North Street) Have a child hold a map of your town or city and see if they can associate where you are going with the map. Use miles per hour as a math springboard. (“If we are going 30 miles per hour, how long will it take us to go 90 miles?”) Whatever you do to help kids recognize, talk about, work with words and numbers – that counts as learning!!

The beauty of Errand Education is that it doesn’t have to be planned or scripted. It is spontaneous and real-life – the best kind of learning!! Errand Education models the ultra-important approach to life – be observant and ask questions.

And remember, no matter where your errands take you or how many educational experiences you create, making the most of the time you have together is the greatest endeavor of them all. (I need to write that reminder down and put it on the dashboard for “those days!”)