Appropriate grades or age groups:
Preschool and Younger
Elementary School

Skill set addressed:
Social (Interpersonal)

Materials needed (if applicable):
children? tea set
water
tea
juice
cookies

Project instructions or description of technique:
Imaginary play with friends is just as special as imaginary play alone. One fun thing to do when children come over is to have a tea party. Children will learn to role-play and enter a special world together.

1. Take out your child? tea set and make some "tea." It could be real tea, juice or water.

2. If you do make tea, have your child fill the sugar and milk bowl (if juice, your child can make believe to be filling the bowls).

3. Your child can chose to serve real food or pretend food. Supply napkins, or, if you prefer, they can use pretend ones.

4. Set the tea service onto a small table for the children to sit around and have them take turns pouring and serving each other.

5. If you are using real foods, be prepared for spills and have paper towels handy.

6. Give the children some space, but don? miss out on all the fun!

7. The conversations that they will conjure up are wonderful. As your child gets older, the teas can become more elaborate. They might just lead to some interesting "socials" and special events.