Chapter 17: Building a Better Table: Families and Communities as Architects of Imagination in Teacher Education Reform

Traditional family and community involvement often reminds us of the structure of the “children's table” that some families make use of during large family gatherings. In this model, food is carefully placed on the main table where all the adults sit. Children occupy a smaller table on the other side of the dining room. This is done for reasons of practicality, but also to remind children of their separate sphere and rank in the home. The loving adults (who of course know what's best for the children) have worked to make it a comfortable space, because the more comfortable the children are, the quieter, more under control, and less demanding they will be.