PRACTICAL LIFE
The Practical Life part of our program is aimed explicitly at helping children become independent, so that they neither need nor are constantly seeking the help of adults.
As Dr. Montessori put it: “We must help them to learn how to dress and undress, to wash themselves, to express their needs in a way that is clearly understood, and to attempt to satisfy their desires through their own efforts. All this is part of an education for independence."
Children delight in the abundance of practical life exercises. These exercises enable confidence in completing activities of everyday life. The desire to imitate adults is satisfied with items especially scaled to their size.
The child is attracted to the things that give independence and control in life. They are given experiences of sweeping, dusting, and polishing as well as exercises for washing, pouring and gardening. The child is able to methodically master all of the skills needed for independence.
The delight for the student is in the doing. While the student is enthralled with each exercise, they are developing their concentration, attention to detail and coordination of movement. These exercises are the foundation on which the child approaches all other work.
Key Practical Life Activities
CUTTING AND SLICING
WET AND DRY POURING
SPOONING EXERCISE
WATER POURING
