Dr. Montessori believed that the life-giving purpose of work is to develop oneself as a competent, unique person living with other competent, unique people. Our work to support one another connects us with life’s meaning.
One of the cornerstones of the Montessori curriculum is the area of Practical Life. As the name suggests, these lessons are designed to develop skills that aid the child throughout life. The skills go far beyond learning to scoop and clean. Through these activities, children build and increase their ability to focus for longer amounts of time, hone their fine motor skills in preparation for writing, and learn grace and courtesy skills that will become the foundation for all future social interactions.
Dr. Montessori divided her Practical Life exercises for children into two stages of development. The first stage, the personal, is one in which the child has an inner urge to control their movements. At this time, the child has a strong will to do things for themselves, to take care of their own person. The second stage is the social, in which a child can act consciously to help maintain the environment, work together with others, and assist others in their community. These activities turn one’s attention outward to address the needs of the group and learn how each person plays a role in the community. At home and at school, you can provide opportunities for children to:
- Take responsibility for cleaning up after themselves
- Keep communal areas tidy, clean, and in good repair
- Care for plants and animals in the environment who rely on us for food, water, and clean habitats
- Make areas beautiful with the planting and maintenance of gardens
- Prepare food for snacks and meals
- Set the table for a Beautiful Meal
- Arrange flowers and create artwork
These lessons give the children investment in their environment, making it truly their own. They form the basis for how a child will connect to their surroundings not just in a classroom, but in life. They impart and hone the skills necessary to become a contributing member of one’s community.
