When children first enter our Montessori environment they are led to the Practical Life area.  This is considered the foundation of the method because through these exercises the child develops hand-eye coordination, an attention span with the ability to concentrate, and at the same time gaining skills they will need throughout their lives!    It is the beginning of allowing the child to gain physical independence from adults in their world.  The child’s positive self-esteem begins to emerge as they push the adult away to say, “I can do this myself!”

“When the children first enter the Children’s House, they are busy with the practical life materials.  Through them, they further develop their concentration and their ability to be independent.  They also continue to learn the manners of their culture through grace and courtesy lessons.”  (Montessori Today, Paula Polk Lillard, pp. 34-35)

We all know that children seem to have boundless stores of energy!   In these exercises there is physical movement that is not only an expenditure of that energy, but it builds “intelligent movement.”  The mechanics of their movements are associated with daily living and motor skill development.

The number of exercises in this area are endless!  Everything from learning to pour, spoon, button, zip, tie, set a table, wash dishes, transfer objects with tongs & tweezers, fold a napkin, care for a plant, and so much more!   Within the lessons themselves there is rarely any words spoken.  When we talk during a presentation, the child’s attention is drawn to our face as we speak and they are distracted by our words rather than concentrating on the movement of the hands with the concrete materials.  Montessori described the Practical Life Lessons as, “teaching the child with very few or no words at all, but with very precise actions.”  (Dr. Montessori’s Own Handbook, p. 57)

The Montessori classroom is divided into five beautiful areas.  Montessori herself stated,

“no other occupations which could be undertaken by the children at this stage (3-5) could be more important for their whole development-physical, mental--than these exercises of practical life” as they are called.  (Dr. Montessori’s Own Handbook)

To me that is a very powerful statement!   Of all the beautiful materials and areas in the classroom she stated that the practical life exercises were the most important.  With that said, I believe that we really need to take the time to create lessons that are meaningful, engaging and enticing!  She said that the exercises in this area are endless….so take the time to gather beautiful materials of various ability levels for all the children.  Watch the joy in the children’s faces as they master these tasks and develop their independence!