The very important area of Practical Life is a centerpiece of the prepared environment in the primary Montessori classroom. It is the basis for the child’s development of thinking and reasoning.

An observer of children doing Practical Life activities in the classroom might see a child working on the button frame, another washing a table, and still another polishing a mirror. The observer might even think, “Isn’t that great. The children are taking care of themselves and their environment.” Well, it is, and they are. But there is a much deeper and more fantastic meaning behind all their work. In the Montessori classroom, the child is free to act independently, choose her own tasks according to her interests, work at her own pace and rhythm, and repeat as often as she wishes the work in which she is engaged. Practical Life activities attract the interest of the child. With each repetition of these enticing activities, the child’s movements become more refined, she learns to solve problems more easily, her memory is strengthened, and her concentration becomes deeper.

Concentration is a merging of this outer action and an inner awareness. The activity in the muscles helps develop the brain and assists in organizing it. The child’s exposure to a variety of real-life activities (such as those mentioned) contributes importantly to laying the foundation of his intelligence.

©Anami Montessori School