My daughter requested help on a couple of projects for her birthday this year. First, she hoped to transform her existing weathered coffee table into a more feminine version with soft edges in the interest of her son’s safety.
Off we went to Hobby Lobby where she chose a durable upholstery fabric, supplies for constructing buttons, and foam to cover her table top. Her husband built the bead board shelf and painted the table before we went to work upholstering. Tufting proved tricky, but after several trials the ottoman/coffee table emerged exquisite!!
Why did I elect to feature this table on A Table Prepared? I thought you would never ask!! You probably caught in paragraph one that a baby child inspired this project. Knowing he soon would rise to stand on two deliciously chubby feet; my daughter PREPARED a table suitable for him. She did so with an eye for beauty and a mind for practicality!! Around this table her child will learn to walk, will cut teeth, will drive toy cars, and will learn a million and one lessons. Likely, he will learn to climb upon, jump from, and camp beneath this table. He will narrate untold adventures, and probably even further embellish the table with drool, tears, spilled juice, maybe even a stray Crayola mark. Looking back on this table someday he will know, “My Mom and Dad loved me and continually affirmed my value through the home (life) they built for me.”
I’m convinced love prepares special tables for hosting a child’s education -- tables developmentally appropriate, beautiful yet functional. These tables welcome children to explore and imagine. Very young children likely learn more around the coffee table than the dinner table given the perfect fit with their stature and location in the middle of the family room. For this reason, wisdom recommends a “kid-friendly” table designed to multi-task, one that goes the distance. One without an “Off-Limits” sign!!
Love also plans for a child to feast on the goodness and glory of God through rich educational experiences. Thus a prepared table may stretch beyond the physical borders of a piece of furniture to encompass an environment at the child’s eye level filled with interest. Encounters with Creator God take place when parents simply and intentionally introduce their child to the world He has made. Encouraging wonder and directing natural curiosity happily lead to the formation of excellent study habits before a child can read the printed word or understand formal lessons. Treating a child regularly to such a feast, whets the appetite for more of God; feeding and breeding a heart hungry to know the One behind all delights.
God prepared this table (land) for Jax’s first science lessons. He learned wild onions stink and tickle your nose!! My daughter often seats him in the grass to feast on the activity of God all around him. He is an avid student, and watching him delight to learn teaches the adults in his life many things.
My daughter understands much of teaching involves properly setting the table (preparing the feast and utensils), stimulating the appetite, and in turn feeding the soul and spirit unadulterated/organic (pure and living) nourishment. For this reason, she not only designs and constructs cute furnishings, but she consistently provides her son with enticing learning experiences, generating in him enthusiasm he at times can’t contain. He literally quivers with awe, longing to know more, to taste more, his young appetite for discovery, for life, for the Truth and the Life, increases daily. She teaches him to yearn and learn at the same time. Here are a few of the activities/tools she has crafted to train both mind and spirit to perceive God’s presence in the world, and to hunger and thirst after Him.
Sensory bottles designed for small hands and busy inquisitive minds provide a multitude of learning possibilities. She filled her bottles with 1) food coloring, water, dish detergent for bubble fun; 2) corn syrup and alphabet confetti; 3) sand and tiny shells; 4) colorful pom poms; and, 5) rice. A veritable feast for the senses, these bottles entertain while cultivating powers of observation and a love for learning.
She pieced this texture blanket to use during tummy time. He especially likes to poke his fingers through the holes in the doily. She chose a variety of fabrics: sequined, silky, ruffled, pleated, furry, rough, etc. Touching, and even tasting different materials, builds a frame of reference for future perceptions, a memory catalog of sensations. Baby Jax compares and contrasts sights, sounds, and textures with no understanding yet of the concept, meanwhile his sensory bank fills daily with information that will later help him interpret and describe his world and his God.
In addition to using fabrics, she also created a book using scrapbook paper with different patterns, colors, and textures for him to explore visually and with his fingers.
As well as adorable alphabet flashcards with added texture and dimension for interest.
Shape recognition provides still another framework for grouping or classifying, teaching a child to make logical connections. Images were found online and printed for pennies!
I could say so much more, but I hope I’ve said enough to inspire you to prepare tables for the little ones in your life whom you are privileged to teach and influence. Oh, and did I mention I’m pretty proud of my daughter, Charlcie, for the fine job she (and her husband BJ) are doing raising baby Jax?!!
Love to her and to you,
Grammy
