Practical Life
“These words reveal the child's inner needs: ‘Help me to do it alone.’” –Dr. Montessori
Practical Life is a Montessori term that refers to daily living skills. These are the skills required in everyday life. These activities seem mundane to the adult. However, they are exciting to the child, to the point that he will repeat the activity many times. There are three areas of practical life; care of the environment, care of self, and grace and courtesy (aka good manners). Practical life activities include table washing, dusting, pouring, learning to tie and button, table manners, and saying please and thank you.
When a child performs the exercises of practical life, character traits begin to emerge. These include refinement of movement, a sense of order, increased concentration, self-esteem, and independence.
Practical Life is a Montessori term that refers to daily living skills. These are the skills required in everyday life. These activities seem mundane to the adult. However, they are exciting to the child, to the point that he will repeat the activity many times. There are three areas of practical life; care of the environment, care of self, and grace and courtesy (aka good manners). Practical life activities include table washing, dusting, pouring, learning to tie and button, table manners, and saying please and thank you.
When a child performs the exercises of practical life, character traits begin to emerge. These include refinement of movement, a sense of order, increased concentration, self-esteem, and independence.