Practical Life

Introduction to Practical Life

“The simplest exercises of Practical Life will lead the little wandering spirits back to the solid earth of real work, and this reclaims them.” (Dr. Maria Montessori, The Absorbent Mind)

The Practical life area is the most important area of the Montessori Education. It is the key to all the other areas. The activities that the child is called to accomplish, are every day life activities, that he has seen at home and also they have a purpose. Through those activities they adopt and orient to the world around them and they have a social interaction and they work within a community. They develop the co-ordination of movement , fine motor skills and order. Through repetition they become better day by day. Everything in their classroom is child sized and the materials are real life materials that provide chances for success. They are also color coded, attractive and there is always a logical outcome within each activity. Practical life activities develop concentration through working with the hand as well as the will, self- discipline, self- confidence, self- esteem, motor–muscular memory, control of movement and precise eye- hand coordination. There is always the control of error, where the child can correct himself and a point of interest.

We find five areas in Practical Life activities:


1. Preliminary Exercises 


2. Care of the Environment (indoor and outdoor) 


3. Care of the Person 


4. Grace and Courtesy 


5. Control of Movement