Ari is a fabulous helper in the grocery store. He seems to know where nearly every item we buy regularly is at Wegmans, which is a huge help to me since my husband is the primarybWegmans shopper in our family.
One of Ari’s favorite things to help with at the store is weighing and labeling the produce. I noticed he was taking longer than usual at the scale this weekend. I walked over to him and asked, “Did you forget the code?”
“No,” Ari replied.
“How come you’re still standing there?” I asked Ari quizzically.
“I think it’s asking me how many… but I’m not sure,” he replied.
Now that Ari is becoming a reader, he recognized the extra step the scale promoted when it wanted to price by item, not weight. In that moment, Ari realized he needed to input how many mangoes were needed before he was able to print out the produce label. But he wasn’t entirely sure if that’s what he was supposed to do since I wasn’t right by his side.
“You’re right. It says how many. Go ahead, count how many mangoes you have, enter it, and then—”
“Press print!” Ari replied.
The combination of Ari becoming a reader while helping is such a gift.
Raising Literate Humans 
So joyful! Rose spells everything- just walks around spelling. It’s amazing to see the world open up for them. Sweet Ari!
Our days of spelling in secret are about to be over. 🤣
A joyful moment at the grocery store captured so well in this slice! There will be NO stopping Ari, now!!
Oooh, he’s got the power! Exciting to see these steps!
Love this glimpse of real reading. No better way to show reading has utility. Need to do this more often with kids!
Oh, yes, the power of reading. Such a sweet glimpse into your shopping day.
A tiny moment that reveals one of the steps to a whole new world opening up!
This tiny moment illustrates the independence, autonomy, and power that Ari has gained by being a reader!
I love these moments! (And I love Wegman’s…but that’s another story!)
Wegmans is my favorite grocery store. I know some people who would say Whole Foods (too pricy) or Trader Joe’s (we don’t have one) is the best. However, I’d take on anyone to debate for Wegmans!
A fantastic moment, perfectly captured – the noticing, the questioning and the joy. Here’s to moments of reading!
Oh fun to see these moments when reading becomes real and important for young ones. Learning the steps to navigate the world! Big Learning for sure!
Such a gift! Both the helping and the reading. I love noticing these little steps.
It’s fun to record them!
I love those moments when children share their first steps as readers. My granddaughter and I were trying to read the Valentine’s Day message on the art board I gave her.
I’m envious of your helper. He’s on the cusp of big, big things.
Stacey,
What theme is your blog? I find it’s so much easier to navigate than the one I have.
It’s Button 2.
Thank you- so much easier!