Exercises of Practical Life Activities are activities that the child comes across with at home. Those are activities he sees in his day-to-day life. After settling the child down with Preliminary Activities this is the main reason, we introduce the Exercises of Practical Life Activities first as soon as they come to a Montessori Environment. The child comes to a total new and strange environment. When we introduce the EPL Activities the child is familiar with them. These activities will make him feel home and more comfortable.

Why Practical Life Activities in a Montessori?

All the Practical Life Activities have a purpose. They develop a child’s skills in a very fast way. Through Practical Life Activities we help the Child to become independent, develop his concentration, his hand movements, care for the environment. There are two main things we focus on in this part of Montessori. 

  • Care for Him 
  • Care for the Environment

By the age of three the Child enters the Montessori Environment with full of needs that he couldn’t fulfill at home. Take a moment to think.

  • Have you ever stopped your child in helping you with the housework? 
  • Have you said No to him when he was washing his hands, thinking that he is playing with water if he stays longer?

So, then that shows there are restrictions at home that he is not able to fulfill his needs. 

The Practical Life Activities seem to be very simple. But they are the most beautiful activities in a child’ s and a Trained Montessori Adult’s eye. Every activity is followed by several steps. One step after the other. It is a precious moment for the Adult when she sees the child completing and coming to the end of the activity. The finger coordination, neatness, the way they fold napkins. Each activity is done in a unique but simple method with full of concentration.

What are the Practical Life Activities?

I’ll give you some names of the activities where you can follow at home. But make sure all the materials are child size. You can always Contact Toddlers Town for the Presentation.

  • Pouring water, Grains
  • Spooning
  • Cut Leaves
  • Washing hands
  • Washing a Napkin
  • Washing a Table
  • Folding a napkin
  • Polishing Shoes
  • Dusting
  • Sweeping
  • Mopping

Grace and Courtesy

In Practical Life Activities there are some which can be displayed on the shelf. But Grace and Courtesy activities are done by the Trained Adult. They are not to be seen on the shelves. Here the Adult, introduces,

  • How to be polite to each other
  • Say Thank You
  • Shake hands
  • Greeting people

Independence

Practical Life Activities is the Montessori Area which helps the child to become an Independent. It is so magical, when he,

  • Dresses himself
  • Tie his lace
  • Comb hair
  • Brush his teeth
  • Wash the face
  • Eat by himself

So, the Practical Life Activities are more important because these are the first activities which help the child to be focused and calm. Before moving to academic side, the child has to learn to focus. Being focus is not going to fall on the child just like that. That is why I call this area of Montessori is Magical. Even after the child started the academic, after working with the Scientific Materials he goes back to the Practical Life Activities just to relax himself.  
When you observe your child showing interest in the housework and trying to do stuff at home just support him rather getting annoyed about the mess. Show interest in his work so that he will be encouraged.
  
Remember Exercises of Practical Life Activities are just M-A-G-I-C-A-L. See you with another beautiful topic @ToddlersTown.