Practical Life

We began our year focusing on skills needed each day in our classroom, such as rolling a rug, carefully moving and pushing in a chair, and handling materials so carefully we never hear them bump or bang. Throughout the year we learn and practice what Maria Montessori called practical life skills.  It's fun to see our students' focus and excitement as they master these skills. Children are encouraged to be independent and care for themselves. Children serve themselves snack and pour themselves glasses of water in our classroom. You may choose to encourage these activities at home. We like to keep a low shelf stocked with dishes and utensils, baskets filled with snacks, small canisters of cereal and a small pitcher of milk in the fridge in our home to encourage children to serve themselves if they choose. Children gain a sense of self-confidence and excitement as they discover that they are capable of accomplishing such tasks without assistance. This confidence will be vital to all other learning: children who develop confidence in their own abilities are self-motivated to learn.