Sitting at the Table

8 months ago · Updated 8 months ago

Sitting at the Table is an essential activity within the Montessori Practical Life - Preliminary Exercises, tailored for young children.

Benefits of Montessori Sitting at the Table activity

Montessori Principles of Sitting at the Table activity

How to Present the Sitting at the Table activity

Young boy sitting properly at a wooden table, learning table manners as part of a Montessori Practical Life activity. — This activity encourages young children to develop independence by teaching them how to approach, sit down at, and leave a table on their own.

📏 Range Age: 2.5 - 5 years (activity should be adjusted based on the child's age and skill level).

🧠 Prerequisites: Practical Life Activities (Carrying a Chair, Walking Around a Table), Motor Skills Activities (Balance Exercises), Attention Building Activities (Listening Games, Following Directions)
🛠️ Enhancement Skills: Social Skills (Understanding Personal Space, Basic Etiquette), Motor Development (Body Coordination, Graceful Movement).

This activity not only introduces basic table manners but also integrates crucial elements of self-discipline and social behavior into a child’s daily routine.

In this article, we explore the significance of this activity, its role in the Montessori Practical Life curriculum, and how parents and educators can effectively implement it at home to foster independence and respect in children.

Content

What is the Montessori Sitting at the Table activity?
Benefits of Sitting at the Table activity
Purpose of Montessori Sitting at the Table activity
Direct Aim
Indirect Aim
Control of Error
Point of Interest
How to Present the Sitting at the Table activity?
References

What is the Montessori Sitting at the Table activity?

Sitting at the Table is a Montessori activity designed to teach children how to properly sit at a table, use utensils, and engage in mealtime etiquette.

This activity is structured to help children understand the importance of order, coordination, and gracefulness during meals, providing them with the skills needed to participate effectively in social dining situations.

Benefits of Sitting at the Table activity

Integrating the Sitting at the Table activity into your child's daily routine offers numerous benefits:

🍽️ Enhances Social Skills: Regular practice of this activity helps children learn the social aspects of dining, including taking turns, conversing, and sharing.
👶 Boosts Independence: Children gain confidence as they learn to serve themselves and manage their own space at the table.
🤝 Promotes Respect and Courtesy: This activity reinforces the importance of manners and respect for others during meals.
🧘 Develops Concentration: Focusing on sitting properly and using utensils correctly helps enhance a child’s concentration and attention to detail.
✨ Encourages Coordination: Learning to handle utensils and interact with food and dishes aids in the development of fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination.

Purpose of Montessori Sitting at the Table activity

The primary purpose of the Sitting at the Table activity is to cultivate fundamental social and personal skills in young children. This practice not only prepares them for social dining but also integrates the Montessori principles of independence, order, and respect, which are vital for their holistic development.

Direct Aim

The direct aim of Sitting at the Table is to teach children independence, coordination, concentration, and order as they learn the correct way to sit, use utensils, and interact appropriately during meal times. This activity helps children master the etiquette and practical skills necessary for engaging in communal dining experiences.

Indirect Aim

Indirectly, Sitting at the Table fosters a sense of community and cooperation among peers, as children learn to use a chair and sit at the table correctly. This activity encourages sharing space and collaborating during meals, enhancing social skills and peer interaction.

Control of Error

The control of error in Sitting at the Table is provided by the structured environment and the specific placement of utensils and dishes, which offer natural cues guiding the child in correct table behavior. If a child sits too far from the table, climbs into the chair, makes too much noise with the chair and table, finds insufficient room to sit comfortably, or struggles to get up from the chair, these cues help them self-correct their posture, utensil usage, and approach to seating.

Point of Interest

The points of interest in Sitting at the Table include being able to sit up close to the table, sitting down as quietly as possible, moving the chair out almost noiselessly, and getting into the chair without any help. The sensory experience of different foods, the use of various utensils, and the interaction with peers make this activity particularly engaging and enjoyable for children, keeping their interest alive and enhancing their learning process.

It helps in the refinement of gross motor skills as children practice the coordination required to maneuver chairs and position themselves properly at a table.

How to Present the Sitting at the Table activity?

Materials

A child-sized table and appropriately sized chairs, designed to promote comfort and correct posture while sitting.
A place mat, to delineate each child's personal space at the table and assist in setting their spot correctly.
A set of table setting materials, including a plate, utensils, and a napkin, allowing children to practice the proper arrangement of a table setting.
Social story cards or visual aids that illustrate the steps of approaching the table, sitting down, and preparing to eat, supporting the children's understanding and execution of the sequence.
A practice tray or basket with all necessary materials for setting the table, enabling children to carry and organize items independently.

The following instructions are montessori presentation of Sitting at the Table - Approaching the Table :

Presentation

Approach the Chair: Walk towards the chair from the back, preparing to sit.
Position Your Hands: Place both hands on the top back of the chair, with thumbs in front and fingers behind, securing a good grip.
Pull the Chair Out: Gently pull the chair towards yourself and away from the table, ensuring there is enough space to sit comfortably.
Reposition for Sitting: Walk to the side of the chair, then turn so your back is facing the side of the chair.
Sit Down Gracefully: Lower yourself slowly onto the chair, keeping your movements smooth and controlled.
Adjust Your Position: Swing your legs and rotate your body around to the front of the chair, preparing to join the table.
Grasp the Chair for Stability: Place your hands on the sides of the chair to stabilize yourself as you adjust your seating position.
Scoot the Chair In: Use your legs and arms to gently scoot the chair up towards and under the table, ensuring you are comfortably positioned to engage with activities on the table.
Settle In: Sit at the table quietly for a few moments, adjusting your posture and ensuring you are ready for the activity at the table.
Prepare to Leave: After completing the table activity, grasp the sides of the chair again, preparing to stand.
Push the Chair Out: Press down with your feet and use your arms to push the chair out from under the table, making space to exit without rushing.
Rotate Out of the Chair: Swing your legs to the side of the chair and rotate your body towards getting up.
Stand Up Carefully: Stand up slowly, maintaining balance and grace.
Return the Chair: Walk around to the back of the chair and gently push it back under the table to leave the area neat and ready for the next person.

Vocabulary

Table - "This is the table."
Chair - "This is your chair."
Sit - "Sit down carefully."
Stand - "Stand up slowly."
Back - "Put your back straight."
Legs - "Place your legs properly."
Hands - "Put your hands on the table."
Quiet - "Sit quietly."
Wait - "Wait for everyone to be ready."
Respect - "Show respect to others at the table."

Progressive Extensions

Approaching the Table: Teaching children how to approach a table calmly and quietly, which includes pushing in or pulling out the chair quietly.
Sitting Down Gracefully: Children learn to sit down gently without slamming into the chair or table. They practice aligning the chair with the table and sitting upright with feet flat on the floor.
Placing Napkin on Lap: Once seated, children are shown how to place a napkin on their lap, emphasizing the manner in which it should be unfolded and positioned.
Understanding the Table Layout: Introduction to the basic table setting — where the plate, glass, and utensils are placed, which helps children understand order and organization.
Using Utensils Properly: Children practice holding and using utensils appropriately, which includes not playing with utensils or using them for unintended purposes.
Engaging in Mealtime Conversation: Teaching children the art of conversation at the table, which includes listening, not interrupting, and contributing politely to discussions.
Exiting the Table Properly: Children learn how to clear their place and push their chair in quietly when they have finished eating, demonstrating respect for the shared eating space.
Practicing Patience and Manners: More advanced practices involve waiting patiently until everyone is served before starting to eat and asking politely for items to be passed.

Variations & Extentions

Variations

Introduce chairs of different sizes or types to accommodate different age groups and physical abilities, ensuring all children learn to adjust their approach to sitting based on the chair.
Practice the activity using a variety of table settings, such as low tables for art activities and higher tables for academic tasks, to help children adapt to different environments.
Include a practice session where children need to maneuver the chair without making noise, which can enhance their control and precision.

Extension

Extend the activity to include setting the table, where children can practice placing placemats, cutlery, and napkins, making it a comprehensive table readiness activity.
Incorporate a lesson on manners and etiquette at the table once seated, such as how to properly place napkins on laps, request items politely, and thank servers or helpers.
Offer older children the opportunity to assist younger ones in learning this activity, which can foster mentorship and reinforce their own skills.

Recommendations

Regularly practice this activity to reinforce good habits and ensure all children are comfortable with the process, making transitions smoother during meal times or group activities.
Provide gentle, verbal cues during the activity to guide children through each step until they can perform it independently.
Praise children for successful completion and graceful movements, encouraging a positive association with the activity and promoting consistent effort.

References

Montessori, M. (1973). The Formation of Man. Madras: Theosophical Publishing House. pp. 65-80.
Lillard, A. S. (2017). The Montessori Toddler: A Parent's Guide to Raising a Curious and Responsible Human Being. New York: Workman Publishing. pp. 95-110.
Montessori Blog - The Center for Guided Montessori Studies
Montessori Life Blog - The Official Blog of the American Montessori Society - American Montessori Society

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Hi! I'm Chris Palomino, a B.S. in Psychology, and a mother of a precious one-year-old girl. Over the past eight years, I've been guiding children, particularly those aged 3 to 6 facing developmental and learning challenges, with a special focus on autism and ADHD.

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