NIU

Teatime for Little Ones

Posted by Stacy on Tuesday, October 07, 2008 1:22 PM

When your little one reaches a certain age, it's fun to include him in the family tea time. Doing so, however, is not a simple as pouring him a cup and handing him a sandwich. Teatime for little ones is about introducing both the beverage and the setting gradually.

Observation

For the first few years of his life, your young one is likely observing your teatime routines. He might be playing in the other room or in a playpen, but the set up and tradition of teatime is not lost on him. As much as possible, allow your child to be present at teatime, even if he is not yet able to partake of the drink or snacks.

Gradual Introduction

The best way to form a long-term habit is to make it a part of a child's life as early as possible. Thus, it is best to have your older infant and toddler attend teatime from the safety of his high chair when possible. If teatime falls during his nap each afternoon, you can make up the time and gradual learning by sitting down to a second "tea" before or after the nap so that he can practice.

Tea is a drink that many must acquire a taste for, and a very gradual introduction is warranted with toddlers. A splash of tea in a glass of milk might suffice, but be wary of serving your young one a caffeinated variety. It might be best to just serve little ones milk at tea time and then a sampling of the teatime snacks.

Teatime Fun

Most importantly, while gradually indoctrinating your child to teatime, make the experience enjoyable for both of you. If you have guests over for tea, be sure they realize that your tea is informal when your child is present. If you'd prefer to have a more formal tea, schedule it during his nap so that your little one doesn't become fussy and irritated by the tedium a drawn out teatime can create for a child. On most occasions, teatime will come to mean a yummy treat and a warm cup of milk to a child - just the thing he needs to take a break in the afternoon.