Practical Life Rationale
Learning What Practical Life is all About
Practical Life
This December, let’s explore practical life, another intriguing Montessori term. Read on to learn about practical life and its relation to the planes of development theorized by Maria Montessori. You will also learn about practical life activities incorporated at each IMS level and how families can integrate practical life at home.
What is Practical Life?
Planes of Development
Montessori theorized that development occurs in planes categorized by age ranges. In the first range, birth–age 6, a child's absorbent mind is highly active as they learn from watching and manipulating their environment. Therefore, physical independence (e.g., care of oneself and one's environment) is a characteristic interest. In the second plane, ages 6–12, students become interested in social and environmental connections, so abstract cosmic education ensues. While children in the second plane want to think independently, adolescents in the third plane want to socialize independently. Students older than age 12 are in the third plane, characterized by an interest in deepening connections beyond their family, friends, and school community. Across campus, IMS teachers and staff guide students in these three planes of development.
Practical Life at IMS
At each level, the preparedness and challenges of the IMS learning environments are developmental. These levels are the Children’s School (first plane), lower and upper elementary (second plane), and middle school (third plane). All classrooms are intentionally prepared so that practical life works and activities meet students' unique needs and development.
Children's School
According to Montessori, children learn by using their bodies to discover their environments. Therefore, IMS preschoolers and kindergarteners are supported in engaging with real-life objects through motor movements and sensorial experiences. However simple they may seem, classroom activities like walking in a straight line and carrying objects of progressive weights enable students to strengthen skills that carry over into a multitude of daily activities.
Elementary and Middle School
Students in the second and third planes of development are naturally interested in learning more about each other and the world around them. As such, cosmic education – which imparts the view of interconnectedness among all humanity and the environment – is woven throughout lessons, including the practical life area. IMS elementary and middle school teachers plan activities and projects that utilize executive functions, practical skills, and holistic experiences. In turn, the students progress to organizing their own projects like field trips and service learning outings. These activities are rooted in the students’ natural interests while also providing practical opportunities they may continue to explore as adults.
Extending Practical Life to Home Life
How can families guide the development of practical life skills?
Children's School
Home-based practical life activities like folding clothing strengthen motor skills while imparting the ability to categorize textures and colors. Also, at-home activities can integrate higher learning related to following complex routines such as grooming and dressing oneself or preparing a meal and cleaning up afterward. Furthermore, sweeping the floor or raking leaving can strengthen children’s motor skills needed long-term, holistically.
Elementary and Middle School
To incorporate practical life at home, families can keep the interests of their children in mind. For example, children and adolescents interested in artistic endeavors may enjoy woodworking or weaving. Families can extend academic interests, too. For example, astronomy can be further explored by creating a sundial for one's yard or a shared space. Furthermore, families may want to go camping or visit local attractions that inspire further exploration. These opportunities can lead to discoveries of careers, stewardship, and mentoring.
In providing children and adolescents with practical life activities, families help support intrinsic interests and longitudinal development.
Conclusion
2021-2022: Year of Roots
Island Montessori School
Email: savenengo@islandmontessorischool.com
Website: im.school
Location: 6339 Carolina Beach Road, Wilmington, NC, USA
Phone: 9107954860