Why Ice Cream Shop works

Ice Cream Shop gives the child a concrete way to practice role, sequence, and believable pretend cause-and-effect once they begin by learning to show the customer the small menu. Take ice-cream orders by combining pretend flavors, sizes and toppings into a simple customer request. The next test is whether that experience helps when they are asked to listen to one order containing a flavor and one optional topping.

Set up — Show the customer the small menu

Prepare household items before the child is asked to show the customer the small menu. Arrange the space so the instruction to show the customer the small menu can happen cleanly before the child is asked to listen to one order containing a flavor and one optional topping. Keep props ordinary and safe, and do not copy real hazardous, medical, or emergency procedures during that setup.

Step 2 — Listen to one order containing a flavor and one optional topping

Use the result of asking the child to listen to one order containing a flavor and one optional topping as a clue for the next decision. Do not move on to build the pretend order in the correct cup or cone until this step has a clear purpose.

Step 3 — Build the pretend order in the correct cup or cone

Ask the child to build the pretend order in the correct cup or cone. Compare what happens with the earlier step to listen to one order containing a flavor and one optional topping, then continue by asking them to repeat the order back before serving it once the difference is clear.

Step 4 — Repeat the order back before serving it

Let the child repeat the order back before serving it and treat the result as information rather than simple repetition. If it is unclear, repeat that action before asking them to switch roles and let the child invent a new customer request.

Step 5 — Switch roles and let the child invent a new customer request

One careful attempt to switch roles and let the child invent a new customer request is enough at this stage. Before the child tries to switch roles and let the child invent a new customer request, ask them to show or describe what differed from when they had to repeat the order back before serving it.

What to notice before Switch roles and let the child invent a…

Watch what happens after the child is asked to build the pretend order in the correct cup or cone. A pause, correction, or question can be useful evidence of whether the next pretend action follows from what the characters just did before they continue to repeat the order back before serving it.

Make Build the pretend order in the correct… easier or harder

Keep difficulty tied to the decision around repeat the order back before serving it. First, use one role, one place, and one short problem; later, add a second responsibility, clue, customer, or consequence that must be handled in order, while preserving the reason the child eventually has to switch roles and let the child invent a new customer request.

Finish after Switch roles and let the child invent a…

Switch roles and let the child invent a new customer request. A brief look back at the result is enough before ending the session. For another activity, use the activity search or create one with the activity generator.