Inviting Your Child In: A Thanksgiving Table

Three weeks until Thanksgiving!

I want to encourage you to ask yourself a key parenting question:

How can I invite my child into this experience through contribution?

In the next two weeks, we’ll show you a variety of ways.

Start with setting the table.

It is a great support for the development of sequencing and the ability to follow and retain multi-step directions. Both of these skills are vital in life and impact a child’s emergence into math and literacy.

Now is the ideal time to start practicing setting the table. Don’t wait until Thanksgiving day!

Here’s how:

1. Invite your child to set the table with you.

2. Model how to set the table.

   • Decide on an order: what comes first, next, last?

     You will set out all of a particular item (all plates, all forks) before moving on to the next item, so your child can experience each individual step in repetition.

   • After you’ve demonstrated each step once or twice (eg, set down two plates out of three; put out two napkins out of five; or set out one glasses out of four), invite your child to join you.

3. Confirm and appreciate the readiness of the table with your child.

   • Confirm that you have all the components you will need. Appreciate the readiness of the set table.

4. Repeat, having your child take on more each time, while scaffolding as necessary.

   • Scaffolding means giving small helps and reminders: “do you remember what comes next? I can help you. I see you’ve put out the plates, napkins, and forks. Next will be the spoons!). Scaffolding represents just the necessary help - not stepping in too soon, or giving too much verbal feedback.

   • Setting the table can be a surprisingly complex task for some children until they fully integrate this process. Offer your child the scaffolding they need. Competency will grow with repetition. Be patient but clear, and be sure to repeat consistently so your child can identify their own growth.

5. Repeat, repeat, repeat!

   • By the week of Thanksgiving, you’ll be ready to demonstrate how to set a celebratory table! How exciting. Your child will be well-prepared and eager to help.

A practice like this is so much more developmentally valuable - and relevant to real life - than pre-packaged Thanksgiving crafts.

While it may not seem exciting, I promise you can make it fun with young children. The energy you bring to this experience will set the tone for your child’s enthusiasm.

Stay tuned for more activities to come that will make setting the table even more appealing - creating decorations, autumn arrangements, name cards, and more.