The Exercises of Practical Life Curriculum
The exercises of Practical Life curriculum at Montessori Tides School are designed to foster independence, self-confidence, self-esteem, and self-control, all which are characteristics that play a critical role in subsequent intellectual growth. Color-coded items and their location on the shelf help categorize the materials needed for real tasks of everyday living for the child. These tasks include moving around carefully, moving things to appropriate locations, taking care of oneself, maintaining one’s surroundings, and interacting appropriately with others.
Practical Life Supports Academic Achievement
Dr. Montessori classified these sets of exercises as Control of Movement, Care of the Person, Care of the Environment, and Grace and Courtesy. The different exercises of each category develop concentration; a sense of order; attention to small detail; awareness of exactness and sequence; and coordination. The key ingredients of each activity are order; beauty; demonstrated sequence and precision; and, on the child’s part, repetition.
Self-Initiated Control
Active participation in the everyday affairs of the child’s life grows self-confidence, self-reliance, and self-discipline as the child masters the tasks represented in the individual exercises. Order, exactness, and detail cultivate an aptitude for logic, mathematics, science, and composition. Repetition allows for extended concentration, more accurate hand-eye coordination, and a sense of deliberate action manifested in the feeling of self-initiated control: “I can do it myself!” This is the first step on the road to self-discipline.
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