In this section, we will explore various examples that are commonly found in Montessori classrooms across the US. The goal of Practical Life activities is not an academic one, rather, it is an exercise based in familiarity which the child may focus their attention on to attain discipline and strengthen their sense of concentration. Parents and teachers should remember that practical life activities should reflect what the child is witnessing in their daily lives.
Preliminary Exercises
Preliminary exercises are the true heart of a Montessori classroom. These activities are designed to both reflect everyday activities that students experience in their daily lives, and entice students to practice skills that will help them solve ever challenging tasks in their environment. This is where a student’s journey begins, and contrary to popular belief, preliminary activities can continue well into later developmental stages and ages. If you are curious about the introductory activities Montessori guides employ, this is where to begin.
In this section we highlight the activities that students learn to increase awareness of and responsibility to their surroundings. It is important to note that Montessori students learn independence through activities in the classroom that have a control of error. If they pour in a certain way, the water will spill, or the contents will not meet their expectations. Montessori staff use the title of Guide to show students ways to return their work to it’s original state on their own. Whether sweeping floors, crumbing tables, or cutting flowers for bouquets, these students are always participatory in the care of their learning environment.
Grace and courtesy lessons set the tone for the entire classroom as a community. We focus on ways to encourage kindness and harmony within the relationships of our students, teachers, and the world around them. The classroom peace rock is a symbol of compromise and fair communication, and is used to resolve conflicts and express emotions with its soft and peaceful texture. Asking politely, excusing yourself, using a soft voice, caring for classroom materials, and greeting one another are just a few examples of daily grace and courtesy lessons. Once children discover positive ways to relate to their environment, they are on their way to independence!
Food prep activities are designed to allow children to feel capable and independent as they explore utensils that are used in the kitchen around baking, and preparing meals. Students learn the vocabulary and function of each food prep tool and the importance of safety as we approach lessons in areas of the kitchen. As children learn more about food and where it comes from, their tastebuds become more curious too!
The phrase “grace and courtesy” is used frequently in the Montessori classroom to place emphasis on activities that focus on the self. From proper hand washing techniques and learning to tie one’s own shoe, to pushing in chairs and talking softly, these activities help students learn independence and respect for their own abilities. Very often students will take their own initiative to help a friend, put on jackets, or set the classroom in order, simply because of their appreciation for their classroom community. There is no magic here, only practice.
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