Exercise of Practical Life
Introduction
Exercises of Practical Life are daily activities that help children learn basic life skills, like cleaning, cooking, and dressing, so they can take care of themselves and their environment. After birth, child sees adults doing everyday tasks. After seeing adults do tasks, children naturally want to try it themselves because they want to be independent. The aim of Exercises of Practical Life in Montessori is to help children become independent, confident, and responsible. These activities make them learn basic life skills, like dressing, cleaning, and caring for themselves and their environment. Through these tasks, children develop coordination, focus, and a sense of order, all while building their ability to do things on their own. They are constructing themselves and we at “The Journey” really help them to do so which 4 major areas-
a)Taking care of the environment (dusting, cleaning, washing, polishing, taking care of the plants)
b) Taking care of one’s own self (dressing, undressing, bathing and combing)
c) Social Relation (greeting, apologizing, accepting and waiting)
d) Elementary movements (holding, carrying, picking, putting down objects)
a) Taking care of the environment
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Taking care of the environment means children are involved in keeping their environment or home clean and organized. They learn to put away toys, clean up spills, water plants, and care for materials. This helps them understand responsibility, respect for their space, and the importance of keeping things tidy. It also teaches them how their actions affect the world around them.
Dusting
Cleaning
b) Taking care of one's self
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Taking care of oneself means learning to do things independently, like dressing, washing hands, brushing teeth, and eating on your own, so you can take care of your body and needs.
Unfastening buttons
Gardening
c) Social Relationship
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Social relationships are about learning to share, communicate, and work together with others, while respecting each person's feelings and space.
Helping each other
Working together/ in groups
d) Elementary Movements
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Elementary movements are activities that help children develop control and coordination, like walking , holding, or moving objects with purpose. These movements support focus, balance, and grace.
Grating
