A constant question that a preschool teacher has to answer is about what are the activities that parents can do at home with their little ones. Well! The so-called chores at home can be, or rather are the best activities that encompass various areas of overall development.
One of the activities is the simple laying of the tableware on the table during meal times. Sounds fun, Doesn’t it? We can start with unbreakable tableware like plates, bowls, glasses and cutlery items that the child can carry to the dining table one by one and lay them on the placemats for each family member. This process helps the gross motor development of the shoulders and the elbows and the fine motor development of the fingers. In addition, it is a good activity in sorting!
Further, the child understands the dignity of labour at a very early age. He/she takes pride in being able to help the family and gains confidence. Not only this, but laying of the table helps develop a sense of aesthetics in the children. For example, how should I lay the tableware so it looks better than the previous time surely goes in the mind of a child.
Laying table is a STEM (Science, technology, engineering and math) activity. Mathematical concepts are inherent to this activity. We may ask the child to count the number of items on each placemat, or total number of a particular item, say the plates or glasses. It also helps in addition and subtraction. Of course as the children grow older we can tell him that repeated addition is nothing but multiplication and ask them to do some multiplication calculations. Interestingly, the child is also subconsciously learning the concept of weight. The preschooler understands that he she can carry one plate at the time but easily carry say, two bowls or in fact four spoons at a time. The concept of estimation of weight helps the child build a base for science.
Last but not the least, the parent is gainfully engaged with the child constantly communicating that helps to enhance the language skills of the child, with the added advantage of getting a helping hand and a lifelong habit in your child of being helpful!