Elementary Montessori Practical Life: Fostering Independence and Responsibility
That afternoon, I gave lessons to all who wanted to learn. Even the parents commented on the changes they saw, not to mention the fact that several of them had had to make trips to the craft store over the weekend. In the meantime, if you have any suggestions, please feel free to post them! The Montessori elementary Practical Life curriculum is a continuation of the practical life skills presented and practiced in the primary classroom. The exercises in Practical Life also serve an important social purpose. Is there a place for Practical Life work in the upper elementary Montessori classroom? “Miss Michelle, are these for us?” “When can we use them?” “Will you show us how?” They were so excited! You bet there is! There was a new sense of purpose. I have to admit, the small pitchers, the child-size brooms and dustpans, the apple and banana slicers in the snack area, the bright colors and increasing difficulty of the dressing frames held a certain fascination with me, too. After my discussion with my team leader, I made a trip to my local craft store. Work was completed in record time so they could work on their sewing. I put them into simple baskets and found a place for them on my shelves. It is not hard to understand why this was his favorite area in which to work. The essence of independence is to be able to do something for one’s self. -Maria Montessori, The Absorbent Mind. It was so satisfying for me to watch them. When I approached my level leader, she told me that by upper elementary there really was no need for Practical Life activities. Skills pertaining to care of self, care of environment and living things, along with grace and courtesy are still important; however, these activities now begin to take the children outside of the classroom and into the greater community. Practical Life resources from NAMC:
3-6 Practical Life manual
6-9 Practical Life manual
North American Montessori Center: http://www.montessoritraining.net/ Additionally, Practical Life activities help foster self-discipline, self-reliance as well as teaching children how to concentrate and cooperate. It is because of this greater sensitivity to others that community service projects are a big part of the upper elementary Practical Life curriculum. Purpose
The purpose of the Montessori Practical Life activities is to help children develop their independence so that they may become fully capable and responsible adults. When my son entered his first Montessori classroom at age 5, he was drawn, as if by a magnet, to the Practical Life area of the classroom. Children become more self aware which helps them develop empathy and sensitivity to others. I began teaching in the Montessori upper elementary environment two years later and was surprised and saddened to see that my classroom had no Practical Life materials. I bought a latch hook rug kit and some simple cross-stitch kits. They had a new sense of pride and accomplishment. Over the next few weeks I’ll be writing more about what types of activities to bring into your upper elementary Practical Life area. I politely yet resolutely disagreed. While the activities may change, these skills are just as important in the upper elementary, middle school, and even high school years. My students noticed them immediately.
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