Formal Setting of a
Table
Material:
- 1 Table mat
- 1 Plate
- 1 Glass
- 1 Spoon
- 1 Knife
- 1 Fork
- 1 Napkin
- 1 large wooden tray (optional)
Presentation:
1. Prepare a child-sized table for the presentation and place a chair in front of the table. Invite the child by asking him/her whether they would like to learn to set up a formal table.
2. Bring the appropriate material from the place where it is stored to the workplace with the help of the child. The material must be kept at the child’s eye level.
3. The child can be demonstrated how to set the table using the large wooden tray or directly onto the table. In this presentation the demonstration is being done directly onto the table.
Pick up the place mat by holding the top right corner with your right thumb and index finger and the top left corner with our left thumb and index finger. Lift the table mat on the table right in front of the chair.
5. Flatten out the mat so that it does not have any wrinkles in it.
6. Pick up the plate by holding it from its rims with both hands in such a way that the thumbs of both hands are on the upper side and fingers should be underneath the plate for support.
7. Lift the plate and place it in the middle of the table mat without making a sound.
8. Pick up the napkin in such a way that your thumb is on the lower side and fingers are on the upper side of the napkin.
9. Lift the napkin and place it on the left side of the plate. (Please note: different variations of the position of the napkin are used. In this presentation the simplest napkin position is being used for the convenience of the child who is learning to set the table for the first time.) Keep the napkin in line with the plate so that it looks balanced.
10. If the napkin needs to be folded, hold its corners with your thumb and index fingers and bring the corners a bit higher. Put them on the opposite corners. If required double fold from left to right. After folding smooth out the crease.
11. Pick up the fork with your index finger and thumb such that the thumb is on the upper side and index finger is on the lower side of the holding part (handle) of the fork.
12. Place the fork gently on the left side of the plate on top of the napkin. Make sure the fork is in line with the plate.
13. Pick up the knife in the same manner as the fork. Place it on the right hand side of the plate in such a manner that the sharp edge of the knife faces the plate. The fork, plate and knife should all be in line and in a balanced position.
14. Pick up the spoon and place it on the right side of the knife. Keep it in a balanced line with the knife.
15. Pick up the glass in such a way that the thumb of right hand is on your side and four fingers on the opposite side, while the palm of the left hand may be used to support the glass. Place it on the right side of the table mat just above the knife and spoon, without making a sound.
16. Invite the child to use the material to practice the activity himself.
17. After the child has finished the activity he should be shown where the material must be placed.
18. The child may be allowed to use the material anytime for practising.
Points of Interest:
·
Remembering where and how to place the various
items
·
Keeping the items in balance with each other
·
Maintaining balance while
holding and carrying different utensils
·
Concentration
Control of Error:
·
Dropping glass, plate
or other utensils
·
Making sound while
placing different utensils on the table.
Direct Aim:
Learn
to set up a table while coping independently with the various items and
remembering their right places.
Indirect Aim:
·
Hand eye coordination
·
Balance
·
Perfection of
movement
·
Concentration
Age Group: 3
years and onwards
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