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Practical Life in the Toddler Environment
Angela Roberts, Toddler DirectorNora Faris, PhD, Associate Head of SchoolThe Montessori School, Chattanooga, TN
Purposes for Practical Life
• Allow toddlers to develop independence & skills that they can use to function in their classroom and home environments
• Lessons should be practical, purposeful, and designed to build focus
• Provide toddlers with the opportunity to develop good work habits, understand order, gain a sense of accomplishment
Guidelines for Toddler Practical Life
• The children choose any lesson that they have been shown
• Toddlers can work the lessons as long as they want to
• The children need to use the lesson for its intended purpose
• Young toddlers may work the lesson where they desire (shelf, floor, rug)
Two-Year CurriculumYear A Academic Year B Academic
Planes, Trains, AutomobilesVegetablesPetsCare of SelfChildren of the WorldBeachZoo Animals
Specialized Vehicles, BoatsCommunity HelpersClothing/Dress for SeasonsBirdsFarmFruitBugs
Seasonal Studies
August Back to SchoolSeptember Tree, Acorn, AppleOctober Bats, Owls & PumpkinsNovember ThanksgivingJanuary Snowmen & SnowFebruary Hearts & Valentine’s
March Clovers & St Pat’s DayApril Bunnies & SpringMay Flowers June Summer July America & 4th of July
Preliminary Exercises
• Object transfer• Removal and Replacement of lids• Pouring• Folding• Carrying a tray
Care of Environment
• Watering plants• Sorting (silverware, keys)• Scrubbing animal, vegetables• Sweeping• Dusting
Care of Self
• Dressing frames• Wiping nose• Brushing hair• Putting shoes on/taking off• Brushing teeth• Washing hands• Changing clothes
Grace & Courtesy Lessons
• Greetings• Social Conventions• Table Manners• Talking quietly
Food Preparation
• Naming• Slicing• Peeling• Spreading• Chopping• Juicing• Using napkins• Cleaning up after eating
Gross Movement
• Fold nap blankets• Carry baskets• Animal Walks• Wider balance beam/railroad tie• Shaking a parachute• Balance bean bag on different parts of the
body• Ball blast game
Fine Movement
• Mixing & sorting beans• Spooning• Tonging• Pouring• Finger transfer
Resources
• For Small Hands Catalog-age appropriate kitchen tools, cleaning tools, etc.)
• Plan Toys-natural wood toys for language activities, food prep lessons, general practical life).
• Seasonal items (i.e., erasers, large pencil toppers, wooden objects) from places like Target, Walmart, and Hobby Lobby, Oriental Trading, and Michaels.