How to Teach Kids to Set the Table
Learning how to properly set a table is an important skill for children to learn. And while it can be tricky at first, once your child learns how to set a table he or she will likely volunteer to do it on a regular basis. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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The first thing you will need to do is show your child what is needed for the table, such as plates, cups, forks, knives, spoons and napkins. Make sure your child knows where these items are located in your cupboards. If some of the items are up too high, you will need to help your child get them down.
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Show your child a picture of how a set table should look. Do an image search online for “table setting” and print out a picture of how a set table should look. Your child can use this picture as a reference until he or she learns how to set the table.
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Show the child where to place the utensils. Explain to your child that for a formal table setting, the utensils are placed around the plate in order of how they will be used. Also tell you child that for an informal table setting, you will need less silverware.
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Demonstrate how to set the table. For a table setting, place the forks, in order of use, to the left of the dinner plate. For example, if you will be using both a salad fork and a regular fork, put the salad fork the furthest from the plate, since it will be the first fork used. Put knives, in order of use, to the right of the dinner plate. Spoons go on the right as well, furthest from the dinner plate. Drinking glasses are placed to the upper right of the dinner plate. The dinner napkin should be placed to the left of the dinner plate, under the forks, or it may be placed on top of the dinner plate. For formal table settings, the dessert spoon and /or fork should be placed above the dinner plate.
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Be patient. It will take a few tries for your child to remember how to set the table properly. Keep the reference sheet handy and after a few times your child will be able to set the table with no help at all!
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Tips & Warnings
If your child wants to make his or her table setting extra special, give him or her a nice tablecloth or put a centerpiece of fresh flowers on the table. Let your child be creative to make setting the table a fun experience.
Make sure the glass dinner plates and glasses are in easy reach for your child.
- Photo Credit V.Miller
