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.