Dressing up can be part of the fun in having an afternoon teatime, but it’s the time well spent with your child that makes the real difference. Most children love to have personal time carved out for them, and they’ll look forward to afternoon tea one they have enjoyed it a first time. It only takes an hour.
How to have tea with your Down Syndrome ChildTeatime can be a wonderful way that we engage and spend time with our special needs child and they’ll learn new skills as well. The following are a few tips I developed and learned and would like to pass on to other parents:
When should we have tea?
Choose a time when it’s convenient and when your are not rushing for both you and the child. Perhaps after school pick up, or during the weekend.
Try to have tea the same time, or day(s). Most children love to have personal time carved out for them, and they’ll look forward to afternoon tea one they have enjoyed it a first time. It only takes an hour.
I usually schedule our teatime approximately three hours before dinner, so everyone is hungry. It’s not really a problem in our household!
What to serve?The choice is yours, make it simple or whatever children like. Cookies, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, baked goods from the dollar store. A trip to a local Costco can do, or simply bake a batch of muffins. You can also try cheese and crackers, cake, or serve buttered toast, and jam. Use what you have on hand. Make it memorable and looked forward to, whether it’s a daily weekly or monthly tea!
What kind of drinks besides tea?Since we are fast approaching summertime, enjoy iced tea, lemonade, or even hot tea, cold chocolate drinks, or freshly squeezed juices. Find products according to your child’s taste and diet.
Where to have tea?Many families use the kitchen table because it’s convenient, some families dedicate the dining table for tea time.My son (who has Down Syndrome) and I use a couple of TV trays put together to create a larger table for us on occasions, or sometimes our teatime has the coziness of using a tablecloth or blanket on the family room floor, especially when he was much younger.
You can also use your family room, your beautiful garden, patio, front porch, a quaint balcony in your apartment, or even use lawn chairs with TV trays outside. What we’re doing is creating a special place to make memories and introduce teatime and new skills with the children we care about.This is one way for Down Syndrome students to be more self assured with themselves and others before trying tea at a public tearoom.
What about the place settings?Use what you have to get started. Use only what the child uses safely to start.
Plastic or paper plates, cups, or a a favorite mug or cup they like to use. Be creative!
Get the utensils for only the food that you will be eating; a tea spoon and possibly a fork.
Napkins? How about placemats? Yes, and you can even use superheroes or princess placemats, whatever they like. You know your child. Use only what is safe for them, but feels “special.”
How to begin your special teatime
Adults should prepare a child’s food and drink for the child’s safety.
Show them how to use a spoon and/or fork. Remind them how to use napkins to wipe their or dab their mouths, and then remind them to put them back on their laps.
Enjoy their company
Sometimes there is no conversation. That’s okay! Your child just want closeness with the person they’re having tea with – You! When they want to talk, ask them questions regarding subjects for which they can give answers. For example: A new pet or toy, or how they helped someone. Let them know you’re proud of them for something they did. That they are loved, or you love a particular trait about them, like their beautiful smiles… whatever is in your heart.
Remember, at each teatime is an opportunity build table skills:
- wiping our mouths,
- folding napkin in our laps,
- chewing with closed mouths,
- learning to use utensils,
- how to speak,
- And much more!
“It's Me - It's Only Down Syndrome” (in both male and female versions) is first time author, etiquette enthusiast and founder of the Graceful Manners Academy, Carla M. West’s way of paying loving tribute to her wonderful son. He was a boy who was full of joy and curiosity, who loved his husky dog, “Cookie,” and who just also happened to have Down Syndrome. Etiquette and Dance Instructor, West, wanted people to know that her son was just like any other kid who loved to laugh, play and explore the world around him. Like any other kid, his feelings could get hurt as well. Brandon and his mom want every kid to know that kids with Down Syndrome are just like you - they just want to be loved! If you need more information on tea, table skills, self development class for a Down Syndrome student, you can contact Carla at the Graceful Manners Academy
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| Dressing up can be part of the fun in having an afternoon teatime, but it’s the time well spent with your child that makes the real difference. Most children love to have personal time carved out for them, and they’ll look forward to afternoon tea one they have enjoyed it a first time. It only takes an hour. |
Choose a time when it’s convenient and when your are not rushing for both you and the child. Perhaps after school pick up, or during the weekend.
Try to have tea the same time, or day(s). Most children love to have personal time carved out for them, and they’ll look forward to afternoon tea one they have enjoyed it a first time. It only takes an hour.
I usually schedule our teatime approximately three hours before dinner, so everyone is hungry. It’s not really a problem in our household!
What to serve?
Where to have tea?
You can also use your family room, your beautiful garden, patio, front porch, a quaint balcony in your apartment, or even use lawn chairs with TV trays outside. What we’re doing is creating a special place to make memories and introduce teatime and new skills with the children we care about.This is one way for Down Syndrome students to be more self assured with themselves and others before trying tea at a public tearoom.
What about the place settings?
Plastic or paper plates, cups, or a a favorite mug or cup they like to use. Be creative!
Get the utensils for only the food that you will be eating; a tea spoon and possibly a fork.
How to begin your special teatime
Adults should prepare a child’s food and drink for the child’s safety.
Show them how to use a spoon and/or fork. Remind them how to use napkins to wipe their or dab their mouths, and then remind them to put them back on their laps.
Sometimes there is no conversation. That’s okay! Your child just want closeness with the person they’re having tea with – You! When they want to talk, ask them questions regarding subjects for which they can give answers. For example: A new pet or toy, or how they helped someone. Let them know you’re proud of them for something they did. That they are loved, or you love a particular trait about them, like their beautiful smiles… whatever is in your heart.
Remember, at each teatime is an opportunity build table skills:
- wiping our mouths,
- folding napkin in our laps,
- chewing with closed mouths,
- learning to use utensils,
- how to speak,
- And much more!
“It's Me - It's Only Down Syndrome” (in both male and female versions) is first time author, etiquette enthusiast and founder of the Graceful Manners Academy, Carla M. West’s way of paying loving tribute to her wonderful son. He was a boy who was full of joy and curiosity, who loved his husky dog, “Cookie,” and who just also happened to have Down Syndrome. Etiquette and Dance Instructor, West, wanted people to know that her son was just like any other kid who loved to laugh, play and explore the world around him. Like any other kid, his feelings could get hurt as well. Brandon and his mom want every kid to know that kids with Down Syndrome are just like you - they just want to be loved! If you need more information on tea, table skills, self development class for a Down Syndrome student, you can contact Carla at the Graceful Manners Academy
🍽Etiquette Enthusiast, Maura J. Graber, is the Site Editor for the Etiquipedia© Etiquette Encyclopedia
