What is Practical life?
It is the most important part of a child’s development from infant to all the way up…
The purpose of Practical life activities is to help with the following:
- Control of movement
- Hand eye Coordination
- Concentration
- Order
- Independence
- Grace & Courtesy
In an infant classroom, the children learn via exploring sensorially, manipulating the materials and develop basic life skills. Practical life lessons such as, toys, books, hanging mobiles, blocks, mirror etc. are kept within their reach for them to access easily which helps them with physical development. Holding the materials, listening to them (if they make sound), trying to taste etc. helps with refinement of different senses.
In a Toddler classroom, the children are moving around, choosing their interest of work, working with the materials, and learning the process of developing fine and gross motor skills. While working with Practical life lessons, such as, pouring, washing, spooning, puzzles, sweeping etc. they learn to be more independent and learn about their physical abilities. The students develop sense of personal space, trying to take turns as there is only one lesson of a kind, order in the classroom as the lessons on the shelf are kept in an orderly manner on a designated spot.
In a Primary classroom, the Practical life area plays a major role. For many children, who are coming to the school for the first time at the age of 3 years, they connect the practical life area of the classroom with their home environment. The way the home chores are done are very similar to the lessons of Practical life in a Primary classroom, such as, spooning, pouring, folding, sweeping, polishing, dressing up etc. The materials on the shelf are kept from left to right, easy to hard, simple to complex, dry to wet, top to bottom and so on…. The washing lessons are done in a circulation motions, which prepares them for handwriting skills later.
The children learn care of self and care of environment. Also, how to set up a table, how to water the plants, how to prepare snacks, and how to take care of their surroundings. All these activities help them with developing fine and gross motor skills, promotes order in their day and develop their concentration.
In all the stages of early development in a child, Practical life plays a major role. There are so many Practical life exercises that a child can do at home and learn the same skills from a very young age. Here is a list of suggested activities age wise.
| Toddler Tasks (1.5-3 yrs.) | Primary Tasks (3-6 yrs.) along with the previous ones |
| Help prepare snacks Help with dishes Pick up the toys Put books in the basket Help pick up the laundry Hanging clothes to dry Fold washcloths Pick out clothes to wear Get the shoes to wear Help set the table Throw trash in the bin Sweep small areas Help feed the pets | Sweep a good size area Prepare snacks Wash the dishes Put laundry & hang clothes to dry Sort out clothes and fold them Set up and clean the table Help Vacuum Feed pets Choose clothes & shoes to dress himself Tidy their room Clean mirror and windows Take care of the garden Polishing silver |
By Harneet Soor
March 8th, 2023