The Importance of Practical Life

“The first thing to realize about these exercises of practical life is that their aim is not a practical one.  Emphasis should be laid not on the word ‘practical’ but on the word ‘life’.”

-E.M. Standing

Of all the areas of the Montessori classroom, it is perhaps the practical life activities that receive the most attention.  Many first-time Montessori explorers have questions about this area.  These questions often include: “What is the purpose of this area?” or “How will these works help my child?”

Dr. Montessori considered the exercises of practical life to be the most vital area of the classroom.  In many cases, it is indeed the area that is most alive.  Montessori called the practical life activities exercises of everyday living, a natural way to exercise.  Montessori noted that the development of muscles is encouraged through daily living, through movement.  She believed that while these exercises might be considered work, they were enjoyable for every child, as he delights in movement.  Furthermore, the physical movement encourages mental stimulation and psychic development.

There are two main objectives to the practical life exercises:  first, to help develop the child’s concentration, coordination, order and independence (direct aims).  Secondly, these activities help children to master increasingly difficult and developmentally appropriate tasks (indirect aims).  In addition to the numerous physical and psychological benefits of the practical life exercises, there are numerous social objectives which are taught and reinforced throughout the curriculum.  To some, the practical life activities may seem like meaningless work.  But these activities have great purpose, which can be discovered through the observation of the Montessori child.