Setting a Table (for tea)

Material

One Tray containing:
- A Teacup
- A Saucer
- A Small Plate
- A Knife
- A Teaspoon
- A Napkin
- A Napkin Ring
- A Place Mat

Presentation

Introduction

Prepare a table for the setting of the table. Place a stool to the left of the table. Invite a child to come by telling them you have something to show them.

Preparation

1. Have the child carry the appropriate tray and place it onto the stool.
2. You stand in front of the stool with the child to your left.

Presentation

1. Pick up the place mat by pinching the top right corner with your right thumb and index finger and the top left corner with our left thumb and index finger.
2. Lift the place mat into the air and place it down onto the table upside down, so the flower that was on the top of the folded mat is now facing down and the corners you are holding the corners closest to your body.
3. Unfold the mat as you would the cloth.
4. Pinch the top two corners and flip the mat around.
5. Flatten out the mat.
6. Pick up the napkin ring with your right hand and place it above the tablemat.
7. Pick up the napkin with both hands and place it onto the mat.
8. Show the child how to roll the napkin tightly (almost as you would a mat).
9. Pinch the lower middle part of the napkin with your left hand.
10. Pick up the napkin ring with your right hand and show the child how to slide on the napkin ring starting from the top and ending in the middle of the napkin.
11. Place the rolled napkin to the far left side of the mat.
12. Place two right fingers in through the handle of the cup on the tray.
13. Place your thumb on top of the handle.
14. Place your two left fingers under the edge of the cup and on the opposite side of the handle.
15. Lift the cup and place a little ways away to the left of the saucer.
16. Remove your left fingers from the cup and then your right.
17. Place your right fingers under the edge of the saucer and place your right thumb over the edge of the saucer.
18. Place your left fingers under the edge of the saucer opposite your right hand, and place your left thumb over the edge of the saucer.
19. Lift the saucer and place it carefully in the top right corner of the mat.
20. Remove your left hand and then your right.
21. Pick up the cup as you had just done and carefully place it into the center of the saucer.
22. Pick up the plate in the same way as with the saucer and carefully place it at the bottom of the mat, near the napkin.
23. Pinch the knife’s handle near the top of the handle with your right thumb on top and your index finger under the handle.
24. Lift the knife a little into the air and place your left index finger under the handle a little ways beneath your right index finger.
25. Place your left thumb on the top of the handle just like with your right thumb.
26. Bring the knife over to the mat.
27. Place the knife’s tip to the right of the plate and set it carefully down onto the table.
28. Remove your left fingers from the knife’s handle and set the handle down.
29. Then remove your right fingers from the handle.
30. Pick up the spoon in the same way as with the knife and place the spoon down to the right of the knife.
31. Place the mouthpart of the spoon down onto the table, remove your left fingers, and place the handle down.
32. Then remove your right fingers.
33. Stand back to allow the child to take in the set table.

Completion

1. Pick up the spoon as you did from the tray and carry it over to its spot on the tray.
2. Set the spoon down onto the tray as you did when you set it down onto the mat.
3. Pick up the knife as you had and place it in its spot on the tray.
4. Set the knife down as you had done on the mat.
5. Pick up the plate as you had and place it in its spot on the tray.
6. Pick up the cup and place it on the tray to the left of the plate.
7. Pick up the saucer as place it on top of the plate.
8. Pick up the cup and place it in the center of the saucer.
9. Place your right thumb on top of the napkin ring and wrap your two right fingers under the napkin ring.
10. Place your left thumb on the napkin beneath the napkin ring and wrap your left fingers around the napkin.
11. Lift the napkin into the air and pull the napkin ring up and off of the napkin.
12. Place the napkin ring above the mat.
13. Place the napkin in front of you and unroll it with both hands, as you would a mat.
14. Pinch the top two corners and place the napkin in its spot on the tray.
15. Pick up the napkin ring with your right hand and place it in its spot on the tray.
16. Flip the mat over using both hands.
17. Fold the mat as you would the cloth.
18. Pick up the folded mat and place it on top of the napkin.           

Invite the child to set the table for tea.

Extension
Setting the table for other meals such as breakfast, lunch, or dinner.

Purpose

Direct: To enable the child to cope independently with the various items and movements for setting a place at the table
 
Indirect: Child is helped to become more caring in a particular way towards other people and so integrates himself into social life.

Points of Interests
Remembering where and how to place the various items.

Age
3 years plus

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