Practical life activities include skills for everyday living that develop a child’s muscular control, which consolidates and develops coordination of movements. These activities teach both fine and gross motor skills, advancing the child’s control of his/her body, all while building concentration, independence, and social skills.

The activities of practical life focus on care of self (washing hands, getting dressed), care of their environment (dusting, sweeping, washing a table), grace and courtesy (greeting an individual, saying please and thank you) and control of movement (walking on a line). Children may have already indirectly experienced many of the practical life activities presented in a Montessori classroom, and we look forward to further honing their skills.

These purposeful activities prepare the child for more complicated work in other areas of the classroom such as language and mathematics. Repetition of work in the practical life area leads to refinement of children’s fine and gross motor skills.
Children practically gravitate towards the practical life area of the classroom as it enables them to do adult work in a child size environment.