The Alone Table during February was set up to be an X-ray machine at the doctor's office. The children could select different x-rays to see bones from the human body, work a Sesame Street puzzle, and explore different systems of the body in the DK Human Body book.
What is the function of the Alone Table? Isn't preschool about socialization? Basically, is it just a "time-out" spot?
Well, if you consider "time-out" to be a punishment, then no, the Alone Table is not a "time-out" place. But it can be a calm-down center for one person at a time.
- Self-discovery- Sometimes children need to work alone so they can develop that inner voice, hear their own thoughts, and work out their own ideas.
- Mental break- Sometimes children need a break from playing with peers, which is a mentally and emotionally strenuous activity for children learning to practice social rules and emotional regulation.
- Social problem solving- Sometimes when social problems occur over materials in the classroom, the children are too upset in the moment to think about whether they want to share, trade, or take turns. They need to take a break at the Alone Table, and after calming down, realize that they DO want to solve problems with friends, and so are then able to reach a resolution and re-join their peers.
- Communication- When a child moves to the Alone Table, s/he communicates to his/her peers that s/he wants to work alone. S/he communicates that s/he needs space for a few minutes.
- Behavior regulation- Sometimes when a child experiences sensory overload, is learning appropriate behavior for the first time, and/or has developmental "growing pains," the child behaves in a way that is inappropriate or unsafe. Under these circumstances, the child is invited to work at the Alone Table until the child is able to respond to teacher redirection and appropriate behavior is restored.
The Alone Table is way more useful, and beneficial, than a simple "time-out" place. I frequently update the materials at the Alone Table to allow children to experience all the benefits from learning to work alone.
