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SuzanneG
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| Posted: July 13 2007 at 9:16am | IP Logged
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What sort of table do your 2-7 year olds work at?
Do the small ones work at the big table?
Any suggestions for finding long child-sized tables?
We do some of our work at the regular dining room table. And, I have had a child-sized square (24") table that two kids could work at. NOW, however, that table just isn't cutting it. I need a child sized table for 3 or 4. But, I don't have room for such a monster. Or do I?
I was thinking of buying a rectangular table to use as our coffee table in the middle of the living room. The kids would put their chairs around it during the day and then we'd store them somewhere else when we're not using the living room as a learning room.
Is it important that the toddlers and pre-schoolers have a small table to work at so their feet touch the ground? (When they sit at the kitchen table they are on boosters and their feet touch the chair.)
My dd-3 WILL NOT sit at the small table by herself. She wants to be with the big kids...wherever they are.
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Suzanne in ID
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earthmaven
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| Posted: July 13 2007 at 10:07am | IP Logged
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Just a thought to save a few dollars...what about buying something nice at a thrift store and sawing the legs off to the height that works for you? You might score some child-size chairs there too.
Tracy
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chicken lady
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| Posted: July 13 2007 at 10:08am | IP Logged
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I have a friend who uses their train table as a coffee table. They have a glass top  , (I know but it works for her) which they remove when her boys want to play.
My point here..... I don't see why you could not do the same with your coffee table idea. My first thought would be to scrounge second hand stores for a large coffee table, and tweak it to your use. I did this with an extra large mission style coffee table.
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Meredith
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| Posted: July 13 2007 at 10:13am | IP Logged
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Great idea Tracy!! We bought an inexpensive table with a bench on one side and 4 spindle back chairs so there's plenty of seating for everyone. The toddler prefers the bench and he can be on his knees on it if need be, problem is the table isn't HUGE (36" x 48") I think, so for the bigger kids to be working there with the 5 yo and the wiggly 2yo, it's not ideal. I'm really going to be pushing the "Mat work" areas as we have plenty of room to spread out. What about that darling little picnic table (I know we have the same one  ) would she like to have that as her special table with one of the other bigger girls with her???
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Meredith
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SuzanneG
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| Posted: July 13 2007 at 10:15am | IP Logged
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chicken lady wrote:
I don't see why you could not do the same with your coffee table idea. My first thought would be to scrounge second hand stores for a large coffee table, and tweak it to your use. I did this with an extra large mission style coffee table. |
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Most of the coffee tables I'm finding at thrift stores (and "new stores") are only about 16-17" high, which I don't think are tall enough for my 5 and 6 year olds.
We do use our current coffee table this way, but it has a horizontal bar across it. They DO put their chairs up to it. But, the 5 and 6 year old can't fit this way anymore, so they move it up close to the couch, sit on the couch and lean over. Not exactly good posture and a way to encourage good handwriting...or am I making a big deal out of nothing?
earthmaven wrote:
| Just a thought to save a few dollars...what about buying something nice at a thrift store and sawing the legs off to the height that works for you? You might score some child-size chairs there too. |
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Yes, I’ve been on the lookout for a LONG TIME to do this, but no luck yet. Which is why I’m sort of giving up and looking at spending the $$$$. Our thrift stores have great clothes, but not so great furniture.
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Suzanne in ID
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SuzanneG
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| Posted: July 13 2007 at 10:18am | IP Logged
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Maybe I should change my strategy and just start looking for a dining room table to saw the legs off instead of a smaller coffee/behind-the-couch table. That would be pretty big for our living room, but I suppose it's only for a few years. (or maybe not  )
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Suzanne in ID
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SuzanneG
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| Posted: July 13 2007 at 10:34am | IP Logged
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OK, so thanks for helping me "think outside the box." within an hour, I have a solution!
I have an old kitchen table in my laundry room that is 31x47 that we can saw the legs off!!!!! It was a hand-me-down from someone who has great taste and it's really quite nice!!! What a dope I am.... 
I don't know why I don't just come to all of you in the FIRST PLACE to solve all of my problems!
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Suzanne in ID
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earthmaven
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| Posted: July 13 2007 at 10:49am | IP Logged
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So whatcha gonna do with all the money you just saved? Need we even ask?
Tracy
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SuzanneG
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Suzanne in ID
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Mackfam
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| Posted: July 13 2007 at 10:57am | IP Logged
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Oh yay Suzanne! I do so love it when a solution is right there under my nose all along. Your table sounds perfect!!! 
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Kristin
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| Posted: July 13 2007 at 2:27pm | IP Logged
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Hooray for you, Suzanne! 
IMHO, I don't think you are being at all overly picky wanting the table to be the right size. This is important for correct posture and positioning for writing!
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Land O' Cotton
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| Posted: July 16 2007 at 7:37am | IP Logged
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I found a nice table this weekend at Sam's Club that will work great for us. I can't find a picture of it at their website, so it may only be an in-store item. It is called a "4-Foot Adjustable Fold-in-Half Table" by Lifetime. It literally folds down to about a 2'x2' square with a carrying handle. My husband has the receipt, but I think we paid ~$39 for this. The item # on the table is 4435 and I'm guessing could be seen at the lifetime.com website.
I think this will work well for us because we can simply fold it up and put it away when we're finished.
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Vicki
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JoJo
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| Posted: July 17 2007 at 8:17am | IP Logged
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We found a couple of secondhand trapezium shaped tables, which were full height, but my dh just sawed the legs off to a kiddy height. It had a laminate top with metal legs. It was a lot cheaper than buying new children's tables. And they are nice and large, so they can spread out their work.
The advantage of the shape is that we put them together and two kids can work together, but their area is clearly separate. But it's almost circular, so it has a nice feel to it. I can sit beside either one of them and help them (or keep on eye on them, more like it).
It worked so well I then bought a large dining table from a thrift store (again with metal legs) to go outside under our pergola (verandah) and cut the legs off as well. It's great for the really messy activities, or for working outside when the weather is nice. It comfortably sits 4 kids.
Jo
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Eleanor
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| Posted: July 17 2007 at 1:16pm | IP Logged
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What if you got one of the 16" tables from the thrift shop, and added a set of sturdy locking casters from the hardware store?
That would add a couple of inches of height, and the table would be easy to move. And casters are fun.
(BTW, in addition to rubber animals, airline meal trays, and other assorted thingamajigs, American Science & Surplus also sells a variety of inexpensive casters.)
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SuzanneG
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| Posted: July 18 2007 at 3:11pm | IP Logged
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Land O' Cotton wrote:
| I found a nice table this weekend at Sam's Club that will work great for us. |
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Here is what I saw at our Sam's. Looks like the same table, just not a folding table.
And, look at all these adjustable tables that Sam's carries on-line!
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Suzanne in ID
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Meredith
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| Posted: July 18 2007 at 3:59pm | IP Logged
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LOVE the Trapeziod, very fun and funky!! So are you getting one of these as well??
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Meredith
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SuzanneG
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| Posted: July 18 2007 at 4:05pm | IP Logged
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No, not unless we move to the other side of the mountains.....and have a bigger home and can fit ANOTHER table somewhere! I love that they are adjustable though....I had no idea these were available!
I'm still cutting off the laundry room table legs, as it will actually look like a coffee table, since it has to sit in the middle of the living room!
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Suzanne in ID
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ozlouise
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| Posted: July 18 2007 at 8:35pm | IP Logged
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Just as a different perspective - when my son outgrew the `toddler table' we bought chairs that have an adjustable seat and an adjustable foot rest. So the kids have their own chair that is perfect for them. We can work at the dining room table (and eat there!) and they are at the right height and their feet aren't dangling. They are fantastic.
Louise
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SuzanneG
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| Posted: July 18 2007 at 9:57pm | IP Logged
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ozlouise wrote:
| we bought chairs that have an adjustable seat and an adjustable foot rest. |
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Louise:
Welcome to the Forum!
You wouldn't happen to have a link for those, would you? Or something similar?
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Suzanne in ID
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ozlouise
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| Posted: July 22 2007 at 5:10am | IP Logged
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SuzanneG wrote:
ozlouise wrote:
| we bought chairs that have an adjustable seat and an adjustable foot rest. |
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Louise:
Welcome to the Forum!
You wouldn't happen to have a link for those, would you? Or something similar?
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It is the chair at www.piccolo-innovations.com. We love them - the kids are so comfy on them. I'm sure they would be available in the US somewhere.
Louise
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4Real Forums : Nurturing the Years of Wonder
Topic: Tables
