Why Practical Life?

Amongst the Language, Geography, and Math areas of the classroom, Dr. Montessori added a unique one--Practical Life.  She observed that children from 3 - 6 became interested in the art of scrubbing, polishing, pouring, tweezing and other skills that require fine motor and intense concentration.  She observed that even when the table was spotless, they took no notice, and began to scrub the polished spots again.

This proves the external stimuli was only a stimulus.  The real aim was to satisfy an unconscious need, and this is why the operation is formative, for the child's repetition was laying down in his nervous system an entirely new system of controls, in other words, establishing free co-ordinations between his muscles, not given by nature, but having to be acquired. 
                           Maria Montessori.  1967. The Absorbent Mind. New York: Dell Publishing Company 

As adults, we carry this out through the repetition of sports to learn better coordination, more speed, more precision, etc.

 So what does that mean?  It means that the two 3 year olds are in charge pushing their chair in, putting their plate in the sink, scrubbing and wiping the table, and sweeping the area around their table.  Is it always perfect? No.  But have they been eating really fast to jump at who gets to scrub the table or sweep the floor? Yup.

Practical Life also includes Social Development, or rules for functioning with one another.  This has been a great help for ground rules, greeting and saying goodbye, how to interrupt, and even how to ask for help.  We practice this daily, both in and out of the classroom.  Nothing is more beautiful to watch, then the little ones asking each other for help, or to encourage another's work.

 Below are some ideas, and how it aids his coordination.  And for a more complete set, here is a great list.  And don't forget to take a moment to show him how to do it first.

I. Small Muscle - Pouring

a. pouring from bowl to bowl (wet)- add food coloring so he can see when he spills to clean it up

b. pouring from bowl to bowl (dry)- start with big and move to small ex. navy beans, popcorn kernels, oatmeal, cornmeal

II. Small muscle - squeezing

a. grasp with whole hand- walnuts, large blocks, bowls

b. grasp with three fingers- salad tongs, clothespin clamping

III. Small Muscle- Twisting

a. spooning

b. screwing and unscrewing lids

c. whisking- bubble work great 

IV. Small Muscle- Sort

a. Age appropriate- color, shape, size, etc.

V. Cleaning

a. wiping up spills
b. sweeping
c. Table scrubbing
d. dish washing
e. folding