Practical Life Skills
Dressing Frames
“Any child who is self-sufficient, who can tie his shoes, dress or undress himself, reflects in his joy and sense of acheivement the image of human dignity, which is derived from a sense of independence”
Maria Montessori
Maria Montessori
The Practical Life Skills are the foundation of the whole Montessori method of education. They can be described as the simple everyday activities which adults perform in their society and environment. They are skills for life.
Children are fascinated by watching adults perform these daily tasks. They want to partake in them as well, but adults rarely have the time to allow the child to button his own coat, for example, and will often do it for them. Given the opportunity, children enjoy practicing these exercises, again and again, for it is the actual process rather than the end result, that satisfy them. When a child is taught the task of dressing themselves, pouring out a glass of water for themselves etc, they grow into self-satisfied, confident, independent little beings.
The practical life area of the Kindle Montessori classroom is an extension of the child’s own home environment. The materials are real, and often breakable, but given the right instruction the child will learn how to handle and use the utensils correctly and safely. The exercises are always a reflection of the child’s own culture and traditions.
The exercises are carefully organized so that each has a direct aim, and often many indirect aims. These objectives relate to the child’s physical movement and mental development.
Within the work cycle, the children are carefully shown how to do each exercise, step by step, and when they can successfully carry out the task they are free to repeat the exercise as often as they wish until their needs are met.
Children are fascinated by watching adults perform these daily tasks. They want to partake in them as well, but adults rarely have the time to allow the child to button his own coat, for example, and will often do it for them. Given the opportunity, children enjoy practicing these exercises, again and again, for it is the actual process rather than the end result, that satisfy them. When a child is taught the task of dressing themselves, pouring out a glass of water for themselves etc, they grow into self-satisfied, confident, independent little beings.
The practical life area of the Kindle Montessori classroom is an extension of the child’s own home environment. The materials are real, and often breakable, but given the right instruction the child will learn how to handle and use the utensils correctly and safely. The exercises are always a reflection of the child’s own culture and traditions.
The exercises are carefully organized so that each has a direct aim, and often many indirect aims. These objectives relate to the child’s physical movement and mental development.
Within the work cycle, the children are carefully shown how to do each exercise, step by step, and when they can successfully carry out the task they are free to repeat the exercise as often as they wish until their needs are met.