The Practical Life area in the Montessori environment is crucial for younger and older children.

In the practical life area, the children practice fine motor skills and develop their sense of order and concentration. The practical life activities improve their self-care skills and independence by bringing the real world into the classroom.

In short, the practical life area is essential in Montessori Education.

From Real Life

When it comes to practical life in the Montessori environment, many parents might think: Isn’t this a family game?

That’s not true!

It is true that if you come to the Montessori practical life area, you will indeed observe many everyday materials.

Rice, beans, clothing frames, sponges, dishes, and spoons!

Each material has its own unique purpose.

All materials are everyday items, and nothing is fake.

Real flowers and plants with floral fragrances – that bloom and decay.

Real rice and grains, in all colours, grain by grain…….

We adhere to the philosophy that in a Montessori classroom, we want children to experience authenticity and nature. Every material they get is real and workable.

We adhere to the philosophy that in a Montessori classroom, we want children to experience authenticity and nature. Every material they get is real and workable.

The Montessori materials are appropriately child-sized and carefully prepared by teachers.

At home, most of the furniture and household objects are for adults. Children can struggle to use them appropriately.

But in the Montessori environment, the furniture and materials are small – child-size, and easy to use for children.

To begin, we design the environment and prepare the materials. Children have the opportunity to work on a task from simple to complex in all curriculum areas.

The Meaning of Repetition

In the Montessori environment, children at a young age will often “repeat” the same task.

Therefore, the following scenarios are commonplace.

The child picks up a sponge, squeezes it in the bowl and soaks up the water. Next, the sponge goes into a second bowl, and the water gets squeezed out.

Then, put the bowl back in place, bring a towel and wipe the table.

Do you think it’s over? No, it’s not.

The child starts again, and another round of sucking and squeezing sponges begins.

These repetitive tasks are performed every day on our campus and in our classrooms.

What is the meaning and value of repetition?

We, humans, have a natural tendency to “repeat”. Because of repetition, we gain a sense of familiarity, achievement and self-confidence.

The more familiar you are with something, the better you do!

In the eyes of adults, it is very repetitive, even boring but for children, it can keep them busy for half an hour.

So, what exactly is the child experiencing?

Not only are they developing fine motor skills and improving concentration, but they get a great sense of satisfaction and feel capable! I can do it!

In the process of constant repetition, his mind is at peace and will gain a sense of security, satisfaction and self-confidence.

I wonder if parents have heard of “mind flow”. There is a saying in psychology that when you fully immerse your energy in a task you will gain a great sense of fulfilment.

Such a fulfilling experience is hard to put into words and can’t be found in any textbook. Children will experience it in a real classroom, from constant repetition.

No Interruptions and the Development of Concentration

Parents, can you believe it? From birth, our children are born with the ability to concentrate.

However, as time goes by, we gradually find that concentration can decrease.

Children may not always be able to concentrate – they can get sidetracked or distracted.

They might jump from task to task or game to game.

This lack of concentration is most likely because when they were young, their concentration was interrupted.

And the philosophy we adhere to is to protect their concentration in a prepared environment, using the Montessori way –

It doesn’t matter how many times the child repeats himself. The teacher will quietly observe the child and guide them only when necessary. The teacher will not over-interfere or disturb. The child has ample time to immerse himself in his work.

No wonder the children are so engrossed in their work.

Opportunity to practice

Parents don’t think that only the adult world is busy because children’s lives are busy too!

Since we live in the real world, we need to take care of ourselves.

In addition to developing fine motor skills and improving cognitive abilities, children in Montessori classes also learn to take care of themselves and their environment.

For example, to clean up after lunch and wipe the table.

Watering plants, sweeping the floor, cleaning the glass and waxing the woodwork.

We provide them with opportunities to practice, experiment and be challenged, so their independence is developed.

Logical Thinking and Life Skills

Is the Practical Life area only suitable for small children? No, no, no!

In everyday life, things can be complex and require logical thinking skills.

For example, there are instructions of what to do first and second.

A child reads a book about growing pumpkins and learns that pumpkins are a fruit. The book provides a recipe that teaches how to make a pumpkin pie.

So how do we make a Pumpkin Pie?

First, the child needs to follow the recipe, which involves reading.

Next, they prepare the ingredients, start to bake, and use equipment such as the oven.

After baking, they still need to share it with everyone, so how many people want a piece? How do you cut it? Time for math!

Food preparation is a cross-curricular practical life activity that includes language, cultural, and mathematical skills. The children need to think logically and integrate all of the skills.

Ultimately, the child will take these integrated skills and bring them back to everyday life.

In Conclusion

Dear parents, please know that Practical life activities are important and not just playing house.

For children, all of their work will eventually be tested in real life: in the real world.

Little ones will develop all their abilities through practice.

The older child gains the ability to integrate his thinking through more complex “projects”.

In today’s world, technology has developed at a rapid pace, and the emergence of AI is no longer an uncommon thing. However, we have always believed that

Regardless of the development of technology, we still have to live a real life.

No matter how fast technology changes, there is no substitute for our feelings and experiences.