From a young age, children learn by imitation and joyfully mimic what parents and other adults model for them.
Around the age of three, a precursor to role-playing begins. This is called symbolic play or "pretend play." In this phase, much of the play happens purely in the child's imagination without a specific play location or props. The child must first clearly formulate their play idea and explain the imagined scenario precisely to their playmates. These agreements among each other or with adults promote the toddler’s language and communication skills. Gradually, this develops into actual role-playing. Here, for example, the
toy grocery store takes on a special role.
Role Switching in the Toy Grocery Store
Children learn in different phases to increasingly take on the perspectives of others and adjust their own behavior to expectations. In imitative role-play, such as in a toy grocery store, the child takes on the roles of different people. They learn how role-taking works. Sometimes they pretend to be the cashier, sometimes the customer. Sometimes even without friends or parents playing along. This so-called naive form of play works with imaginary people, purely from the child’s imagination. It is said that humans are only able to develop a consistent self-awareness and live in society through the ability to take on roles.
Playing in the toy grocery store is one of the most popular role-playing games. Although it no longer reflects the actual reality of shopping today, with the help of appropriate accessories like the
howa wooden cash register, the checkout process in the toy grocery store is made much more realistic. A scanner for the products, a fully functional solar calculator made of bamboo, and a slot for "paying" by card are included. The cash register contains many charming details such as a writable paper roll and a cash drawer that pops open with a lever accompanied by a bell sound. The accompanying play money makes reenacting the adult world almost perfect.
Giving and Taking
In role-play, children can reenact and try out adult everyday life from different perspectives. Giving and taking objects is an important process in child development. This behavior can be observed even in very young children. They reach out objects to their parents or other adults and are happy when they are accepted.
In the toy grocery store, this behavior already takes place in connection with more concrete goals. For example, the child happily offers cocoa powder for breakfast. Mom and Dad then "buy" the cocoa powder enthusiastically and thank the child for the good shopping tip. This process is immediately stored positively for the little seller, and they will be more willing to make suggestions in everyday life as long as they can justify them sensibly.
Social Skills and Playful Handling of Money
Playful handling of money and food brings children closer to the basic economic knowledge of real life. The child learns that goods like
fruit,
vegetables, and bread cost money. Negotiation is also practiced, a skill needed in many interpersonal situations where compromises are required. Increasingly, specific everyday situations already experienced are reenacted concretely. Children see what they have experienced from a new perspective and realize how it feels to have control over the situation. They experience self-efficacy and gain self-confidence. Social skills, appreciation, and early math exercises are thus part of the home curriculum with a howa toy grocery store and the howa cash register, without the child even noticing. This, in turn, is probably the best way of learning for everyone.
