Text and Photography by Angela Renals
As with any family affair or special meal, children at afternoon tea have the opportunity to observe and imitate their elders and practice their own manners. Some tearooms welcome children of all ages, while others request a minimum age for guests. Even if the kids are getting their first exposure to afternoon tea at home using their children’s tea set, afternoon tea is the perfect teacher for these life lessons:
A Gracious Host Plans Well
By menu planning and/or setting the tea table with an adult, kids begin learning about anticipating their guests’ needs. Talk through the afternoon tea meal with your child, asking them to help you list tableware and groceries you’ll need to serve tea and your chosen menu. Kids will see the reward of preparing thoroughly before guests arrive: their guests will have a great time while they themselves are able to relax and visit with their company during party time.
Manners Matter
Learning afternoon tea and teacup etiquette, especially why we bother with it, reinforces the importance of good manners in general. Rather than thinking of etiquette as stuffy or outmoded, practicing good manners at afternoon tea can help children experience the boost in self-confidence that comes when you feel accustomed to the social rules of a particular situation. There is no better reinforcement to convince the kids that manners matter than when a passing adult stops to compliment the kids for behaving politely at afternoon tea.
Get Comfortable Getting Fancy
While some kids delight at any excuse to don their finest gowns and suits, others need encouraging. It’s understandable, especially as our society becomes increasingly informal, which makes afternoon tea even more valuable as a teaching tool today. Knowing appropriate dress for different settings and becoming comfortable dressing up can help our children navigate a variety of social situations with confidence as they go out into the world. The first time a child enters a tearoom where everyone is looking fabulous, they will experience firsthand that how we dress can also help make an occasion feel special.
We Handle Precious Things with Care
Especially as they are developing dexterity and control over their motor skills, children at afternoon tea are in the classroom, even if they don’t know it. We can explain why Grandma’s china is very special and that we, therefore, handle it very carefully. If you don’t think your little one is ready yet for the fine china, there are many food-safe (make sure of this) porcelain, plastic, and metal tea sets for kids. Encourage them to pour the tea and to try not to spill it, but don’t make a big deal when they do. You might fill one-cup teapots for wee ones to manage successfully.
