Toddler Time - Tea Parties
Connor's play is becoming more and more imaginative. Lately, his activity of choice is to play tea parties with Grandma and myself. He sets the table and pours everyone a drink. He then stirs the imaginary contents in the cup with his small plastic spoon. Each cup gets carried carefully to the intended guest and he stands there making sure we drink the contents. He also serves us imaginary food on plates, at times choosing to feed us himself. Other times, he simply pushes the plate or bowl into our face.
Tea parties offer toddlers the opportunities to mimic adults from food preparation to setting the table. Older children use their imagination and begin to construct stories around their tea party. Tea parties also provide an opportunity for children to learn proper manners. Play can be integrated with music appreciation with classical music playing in the background. Eventually, children will develop the skills to host a proper tea party.
Tea Party Props
- Tea Set
- Stuffed animals, teddy bears, and dolls in chairs
- Dress up clothes for children who want to have a fancy tea party
- Table cloths, paper doilies, paper napkins
- Say please and thank you
- Begin serving when everyone is seated
- When you are done stiring, place your teaspoon on a saucer
Tea Party Rhymes
- I'm a little teapot
- Polly put the kettle on
- Create invitations for the tea party
- Create place cards for guests
- If the tea party is a fancy tea party, let the child decorate the location of the tea party with appropriate decorations
