Montessori placemat

In Montessori families, a common accessory for mealtime is a placemat. It contributes to the child's sense of order.

Setting the table is one of those activities that also fosters polite manners and etiquette. The purpose of the napkin is to provide the child with an engaging activity since real household items have a special attraction for children. It is your shared time. It is the formation of confidence in their own abilities, "I can do it," "I am capable," "I did it."

You can start as early as 18 months.

Materials needed for the lesson:

• Tray with: 1 plate, 1 fork, 1 knife, 1 glass, 1 spoon
• 1 paper napkin
• 1 serving napkin (control napkin)

Presentation:

1. Place the tray on the table.
2. Put the control napkin on it.
3. Slowly trace the shapes of the tableware with your finger.
4. Arrange the tableware in this order: plate, glass, tableware.
5. Place all items on the tray in reverse order.
6. Invite the child to repeat these movements.

Once you notice that the child has mastered this algorithm, you can remove the training napkin, and the child will be able to arrange all the utensils from memory.