There are plenty of activities that you can give to your child. Sometimes you also could create new activities if you discover that the child is bored with the given work. As soon as the child enters the Montessori Environment after the Preliminary Activities, we introduce Activities call Exercises of Practical Life. From the name itself you will know that these are activities that they see day to day in their home environment.
What the Exercises of Practical Life Activities
These are activities the child meets at home every day. They see their parents doing and are familiar with it.
- Pouring water from jug to jug
- Pouring Grains
- Spooning
- Sponging
- Cutting Leaves or fruits
There are child sized materials kept neatly and the purpose of the materials are visible. They will have small trays, jugs, knives which are not sharp but sharp enough for them to cut fruits or leaves or vegetables. You can always prepare some grains for spooning and pouring.
- Mop the Floor
- Sponging
- Sweep the Floor
- Using the dustpan and brush
- Cleaning the Window
- Watering Plants
All these Activities help him to be aware of the cleanliness of his environment. You can keep a child size mop, broomstick, dustpan, and brush etc.
- Fold Napkins
- Dressing Frames
- wash hands
- Using a Nail Brush
- Using the Toilet alone
- Brushing Teeth
These help him to become independent. He does not have to wait for you. Yes, you must wait until you think he is confident enough to do it by himself.
How can we do it at home?
I prefer as a game. Make it more interesting. You can get their help to do housework. But make sure everything is prepared for your child to do what u asked to. We do not force and tell him to do. But create a situation that the child willingly comes and join you. I will give you some tips.
During lunch – Prepare a small plate spoons or slices of bread and butter so he can apply to the bread by himself or eat rice by himself.
Folding clothes – You can give small napkins so he will fold it
Waring his own clothes – After a shower you can just show him how to dress his undoes, short etc. He will not do it properly, but practice will make him perfect.
Visitors – You can get his help to setup the dinner table and set up the beds.
Cooking time – You can give some vegetables so he will help you in cutting.
You can just think of very simple way that you can get your child involved in. By doing these he will,
- Not be uncontrollable
- He will not be distracted
- Your child will have self-confident
Sometimes you need to be a little bit tricky. For example, to mop the floor you can spill some water in the absence of your child and get his help to clean it.
Always remember that,
- We do not expect a perfect result by him helping us.
- He might take a long time to finish it remember he gradually masters the skill.
Your child needs your help to develop all his skills. Instead of sitting in front of a tab it will be more helpful for a child to be active, busy and feel like he’s a part of the family.
See you with another beautiful topic @ToddlersTown
