Age Appropriate Practical Life Activities

Helping families create a solid connection between Montessori learning in the classroom and at home.

Age Appropriate Practical Life Activities 

Practical life activities are the core of the Montessori philosophy. They introduce children to the concept of education as an aid and a preparation for life and they assist them to develop a sense of order, concentration, independence and coordination. These skills form the foundation to master the Montessori materials across all areas of the Montessori Curriculum.

Practical life activities also teach children the importance of contributing to their family, classroom, and community. From a young age, children are willing and able to assist with household chores and ‘family work.’ To support your child’s involvement in family life and develop their practical life skills for their future, provide them with opportunities for independence through age-appropriate practical life activities.

Tips for Introducing Practical Life Activities

  • Follow your child’s interests when they want to ‘help’
  • Show your child first, slowly, and with minimal words
  • Repeat activities several times when your child is interested and watching
  • Give them the tools for success by providing child-sized brooms, mops, dust pans, and utensils
  • Let go of perfection and appreciate that while a spill may not be perfectly wiped up, it has been wiped, and that is progress to build on
  • Scaffold skills by providing opportunities to extend on and repeat activities
  • Invite your child to do family work with you throughout the day to diversify their interests
  • Choose clothing
  • Get dressed and put on shoes
  • Hand washing
  • Blow nose
  • Put on shoes
  • Wash face
  • Toileting
  • Hang up clothes
  • Brush teeth and hair
  • Fetch nappies/wipes
  • Put clothes in the laundry hamper
  • Make bed
  • Pack away
  • Sweeping the floor, mopping and dusting
  • Wipe up spills
  • Make bed
  • Vacuum
  • Recycle
  • Help hang washing and fold laundry
  • Compost
  • Feed pets
  • Pour pets clean water
  • Brush pets
  • Water plants
  • Help younger siblings
  • Help parents
  • Practice polite manners
  • Load and unload the dishwasher
  • Bake together
  • Make a snack
  • Assist with meal preparation
  • Pour own drink
  • Cleaning dishes
  • Set the table
  • Walk the dog together
  • Water plants
  • Rake leaves
  • Put away outdoor toys
  • Planting
  • Weeding
  • Bring in mail
  • Arrange flowers in a small vase

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