Setting Your Place

Activity Overview

Engaging in community is a skill that young students develop through experience. In this activity, students will work to prepare for a meal with their stuffed animals. They will think about who they want to eat with and discuss why eating together is one way to help strengthen a community. This activity also encourages students to practice organization through the physical setup of a table. By repeating this process multiple times, students also indirectly practice growth in executive function.

What You Need

• Stuffed animals or dolls

• Plastic food

• Dinner table set-up including plates, forks, cups, bowls, napkins, placemats

Steps

1. Model for the student a table setting that is ready for a meal. Include a plate, silverware, a cup, napkin, and a placemat. Point to each object at the setting, and explain what it is for.

1. Ask students to set their own place for a meal using your place setting as an example. While students are putting out each item, remind them why they will need it for a meal.

2. While looking at the two table settings, ask the students who will join them for their meal. Let students pick who will eat with them, and set a place at the table for each of their dinner guests using your first setting as a guide. While they are setting it this time, ask them to describe what each item is for.

3. Now that the table is set, have a short discussion about why we like to eat with friends and family. Talk to students about different ways we can build friendships and community: sharing meals, playing together, and showing ways that we care.

4. Place stuffed animals or other toys at the different place settings. Play out a dinnertime scenario with the student and their stuffed guests.

Guiding Questions

• How can we help our family members at the dinner table? (Set the table settings, napkins, silverware, centerpiece, pass food)

• How do we talk to each other at a meal?

• What do we talk about at meals?

• Why do we eat with our family members?

• With whom do you want to spend more time eating meals?