Lemonade Stands...

More Then Just a Way to Fill a Piggy Bank

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Asuresign the ‘dog days of summer’ have arrived in the F-M area is the appearance of the neighborhood lemonade stand. As young entrepreneurs set up shop, sometimes parents can forget what a great activity this really is for their child. It is much more than a way to start a college fund; it is a chance to work on some very important developmental skills. With a little planning and help from you, your child can have a successful lemonade stand and at the same time work on motor, language, cognitive and sensory skills.

Motor Skills are basically the way we move. We have Gross motor skills that use our large muscles for tasks such as running while Fine motor skills give us the ability to manipulate small objects, transfer objects from hand to hand, and perform various hand-eye coordination tasks. Our lemonade stand allows for development of motor skills through constructing the stand and signs, mixing the lemonade, cutting the lemons (with help or supervision), squeezing the lemons and picking up and transferring coins and bills.

Language Skills aren’t just about talking. It’s also about reading, writing and listening. Your child’s stand allows for development of these skills through making their sign, social interaction with customers specifically conversing with customers, making eye contact and taking direction.

Cognitive Skills are those that make it possible for us to learn. The lemonade stand tests your child’s cognitive abilities through measuring and shopping for ingredients, following a plan to construct and run the stand, identifying different coins and bills as well as providing proper change to customers.

Sensory Skills involve seeing, hearing, touching, smelling, tasting, balancing, and body awareness. Your child will be utilizing these skills by tasting and smelling their product as well as recognizing the textures they are working with such as the sticky lemon juice or the granular sugar.

Every good lemonade stand starts with location, location, location! Pick a safe, high traffic spot where lots of thirsty customers will swing by. Make your supply list and go shopping with your child. Help your child construct a sturdy stand, make signs and lastly prepare the liquid gold… lemonade! Be sure to have some change on hand—both bills and coins. Open your stand and have fun! Don’t forget to have your child help with clean up at closing time. Depending on the age and maturity of your child, they will need different levels of supervision for these activities. This process, as simple as it sounds, is a great way to work on and learn skills your child will need to be successful in everyday life.

At Pediatric Therapy Partners, we provide outpatient Physical, Occupational, and Speech-Language Therapy as well as other associated programming for the F-M area. If your child would struggle with any of the above activities, a therapy evaluation or screening may be appropriate. For more information about therapy or to schedule a free screening call 701. 232.234 or visit our website at www.PediatricTherapyPartners.com