If you love tea and have little ones in your life, when can you start sharing that love with them? As soon as possible!
Tea for Toddlers and Beyond
Tea time teaches social skills that will only improve with more tea times. Sharing, waiting your turn, simple conversation and table manners are just a few of the things toddlers can learn from regular tea times. A child is always watching and learning. Even a one-year-old can mimic motions such as stirring with a spoon or sipping from a teacup (even if the tea is only pretend). As these skills develop and the child ages, the depth of your conversations will also develop, as will your relationship with that child.
When sharing a pot of tea, keep in mind that caffeine may not be good for young bodies already full of energy. Choose an herbal blend or a colorful tisane and make a little sugar, jam or honey available for older children to stir in themselves. Encourage the child to try new tastes too. And make tea time a tradition in your home.
Keeping It Simple
Pinterest is loaded with ideas for cute cupcakes and cookies that can make the event special or celebratory, but they can also be a lot of work. Time with a caring adult is often more important to a child than the time spent getting the cookies perfectly frosted. Keep it simple. Throw down a tablecloth, maybe share a special tea set or wear a hat. Invite a few stuffed animals to the event, and let the tea party begin. Make it a regular event and you will have a chance to see the fascinating development of a child learning to interact with you and the world.
Phyllis’s Chocolate Chip Cookies
For a treat, try this simple and classic recipe, Chocolate Chip Cookies. It has been tested and tweaked until (we think) it’s perfect. Be prepared, however, to teach yet another important social skill – self-control. It’s hard to eat just one of these.
1/2 cup shortening 2 1/2 cups flour
1/2 cup butter 1 tsp. soda
1 cup brown sugar 1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. vanilla 6 oz. pkg chocolate chips
2 eggs 1/2 cup walnuts (optional)
Beat together the first five ingredients until light and fluffy. Sift together flour, soda and salt. Blend into sugar mixture. Stir in chocolate chips. Drop onto ungreased cookie sheets and bake at 350 degrees until golden brown.