What We Do: Practical Life
This area of the curriculum lays the foundation for all other learning in the Montessori classroom. The activities of this area, which are highly appealing to young children, develop concentration, coordination, order, and independence. When a child begins classroom work in this area, they learn skills that will be carried over throughout the work in the classroom and beyond. They will learn to carefully carry and use the materials, to work with focused attention, to complete tasks, and to follow orderly processes. The work flows from left to right and top to bottom which helps train the eyes and mind for visual tracking needed for writing and reading.
The familiar every day items found in the Practical Life area helps the child feel more comfortable at school. It provides a link between the home and school environment, making the transition to school easier. The child’s success with this work instills a secure sense of self. The child will learn Care of Self, Care of Environment, Grace and Courtesy, Control of Movement.
Water Pouring
In a Montessori classroom, water pouring is located in the Practical Life area. Water Pouring can come in a variety of different presentations in different size containers and vessels (mainly ceramic or glass). Our learners tend to be drawn towards water activities. They like to be involved in the process of pouring, washing, and transferring of the water. Their concentration could be engaged longer simply by this process of pouring the liquid back and forth.
Transfer with Tongs or Tweezers
In our Montessori Classroom we use tongs or tweezers to transfer material from one place to another place. Using tongs with transfer work allows the learner to develop focus and concentration through repetition. As well as works on eye-hand coordination, visual discrimination, and also encourages task completition.
The Dressing Frames
This is a set of wood frames to which are fixed two pieces of cloth or leather, which can be fastened together at the center of the frame. Each frame uses a different type of fasting device including: buttons, snaps, zipper, buckles, lace, ribbons for bow tying, hook and eyes, Velcro, coverall hooks, buttons and safety pins.
Purpose for all frames;
- Care of person
- Learning to fasten ones clothes
- Fine-motor coordination
- Eye-hand coordination
- Development of concentration
- Encouraging task conpletion
- Visual discrimination
- Follows an orderly process
- Fosters independence
