Practical Life materials provide the very young child the skills and tools needed to learn a range of common daily activities such as water pouring, simple hand sewing, folding, dishwashing and other everyday responsibilities that tend to be relegated to grown-ups at home. Parents of young children have certainly noticed how fascinated young children are in these activities but may not always have the time necessary to allow their children to participate. Here in the Montessori classroom, we are able to break down the steps necessary for each activity so the children can master them and hopefully help mom and dad at home with their new-found skills! While the Practical Life materials obviously teach a direct skill, they also allow the children to develop a sense of mental and physical order, gross motor coordination, and concentration skills. Through self-directed, purposeful work, a sense of responsibility and self-confidence also emerge as they care for their classroom. The collective skills acquired in this area will prepare children for continued exploration and accomplishment in other areas of the Montessori classroom.
Any child who is self-sufficient, who can tie his shoes, dress or undress himself, reflects in his joy and sense of achievement the image of human dignity, which is derived from a sense of independence.
Maria Montessori