Practical Life
STACY MONTESSORI ACADEMY
“Naughtiness will disappear if we give children the right environment at a sufficiently early age. This environment must provide a great deal of mental food and warm, loving treatment. ”
Maria Montessori
An introduction to Practical Life curriculum in a Montessori classroom
The purpose and aim of practical life lessons is to help children gain control in coordination in their movement, gain independence, acquire self-confidence, and adapt to society. Majority of the materials in this area are something they have already seen or used. This area naturally draws attention in a child’s mind. Practical Life increases the concentration span and leads to orderly thinking. It is applicable to all age groups from infants and even to adolescents. The Lessons presented and timing of introduction change depending on the child and what they can do in each stage of development. The activities can start with something as simple as pulling the pants, putting shoes on and get as complicated as baking a cake, making business plans, selling products in the market which happens in higher grades.
Areas in practical life shelves.
- Preliminary exercises
- Care of self
- Care of the environment
- Grace and Courtesy
- Control of movement
Curriculum in practical life teaches the child the things they need to learn anyway in their life, but with the right discipline, rigor, and order. It develops the key foundation for academic learning.