Montessori Tidbits: Practical Skills for Life

The Practical Life area of the Montessori curriculum focuses on activities that promote self-care, environmental care, movement control, and social manners. Activities include serving oneself a snack 🍎, washing the leaves of a plant 🌿, practicing how to open and close clothespins 🧺, and learning how to politely ask to join a friend's activity 🤝. While these tasks may seem simple or mundane to adults, they are new and exciting for children, sparking their curiosity and engagement.

When children have the opportunity to practice these skills during their sensitive period—typically ages two to four—they thrive in many ways 🌱. A child’s confidence grows as they learn to do things independently, which can be one of the most rewarding experiences for adults to witness 🙌.

“Never help a child with a task at which he feels he can succeed.” – Maria Montessori

There are numerous ways to encourage Practical Life skills at home 🏡. Take the time to demonstrate how you would like a task done, and then allow the child the space to practice on their own. This means stepping back and not directing the activity anymore ↔️.

Examples of activities include watering plants 💧, putting dishes away 🍽️, sweeping the floor 🧹, setting the table for dinner 🍴, feeding pets 🐶, washing windows 🧼, and organizing toys 🧸.

What actions does your child take to help care for your home environment? 🤔