Shopping at the Grocery Store
Amara goes to the grocery store with Mommy and learns what happens during a shopping trip. This story helps her understand the grocery store environment, what to expect, and how to manage her feelings during the trip.
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Read the Story
8 pages · 6 min read read
Show text
Read the Story
8 pages · 6 min read read
Today Mommy and I are going to the grocery store together. The grocery store is a big building filled with lots of food and things my family needs. I hold Mommy's hand as we walk inside. When I feel worried about new places, I squeeze Mommy's hand three times slowly, and that helps me feel safe.
Mommy gets a shopping cart because we need to carry all the food we are going to buy. The cart has four wheels and a big basket. I can help push it with Mommy.
We walk through the produce section where all the colorful fruits and vegetables are. Mommy picks out apples because apples keep my body strong so I can run and play. I help her put them in a bag.
Next we go to the cereal aisle. There are many boxes of cereal on the shelves because different people like different kinds. Mommy lets me choose a cereal I like. When there are too many choices and I feel confused, I count the colorful boxes slowly, taking one deep breath between each number, and that helps me pick one.
We stop by the pet food section because we have a cat at home. I see cat food on the shelf and point to it. The cat food keeps our cat's fur shiny and gives her energy to play and run.
After we get all the things we need, we go to the checkout line. We wait because the cashier needs time to help each person so everyone gets a fair turn. Our turn is coming soon. While we wait, I hold Mommy's hand and count the items in our cart slowly, one item per breath.
The cashier scans all our groceries because the store needs to know what we bought and how much it costs. Beep, beep, beep! I watch the items go across the scanner. The beeping sounds help me know that our shopping is almost done.
We take our bags and walk back to the car. We put the groceries in the car because they need to go home with us so we can eat healthy food. I helped Mommy with the shopping today, and we did a great job together.
Social Story Methodology
Why This Story Works
The grocery store presents a perfect teaching scenario for children with autism or anxiety because it combines sensory overwhelm (bright lights, crowds, choices), transitions between sections, and waiting—all common triggers. This story follows Carol Gray's methodology by narrating the experience in first-person perspective, teaching specific coping strategies (hand-squeezing, breath-counting) embedded within the narrative itself, and framing the child as a capable helper rather than a passive observer. By rehearsing the grocery store's predictable sequence and the child's role in it, children build confidence and reduce the anxiety that unpredictable environments trigger.
Story Structure
How It's Written
Sentence Types
Voice & Perspective
Story Structure
Practical Guidance
Ways to Use This Story
Take Photos of Your Store
Practice Hand-Squeezing Before Shopping
Start with a Short, Quiet Visit
Let Them Choose the Cereal
Practice Breath-Counting at Home First
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