Practical Life

The youngest children (Hatchlings) are gently introduced to the Montessori materials, and the other children, until they feel secure, confident and safe in the community.

During this stage of development, your child will naturally be drawn to the Practical Life materials. They will recognise some of the materials from your home environment, such as spoons, bowls and jugs and enjoy being able to use them independently. However, they are still able to move freely around the environment experiencing all of the materials if they choose to do so.

The Direct Aim of the Practical Life materials is to teach your child tasks that he can use in his daily life and right through to adulthood. Feeding himself, pouring drinks, preparing food, getting dressed and caring for the environment.

The Indirect Aim is for your child to develop independence, concentration, fine and gross motor skills and improve co-ordination.

The type of materials your child will use during this stage of development are as follows:

• Spooning
• Pouring
• Threading
• Transferring water
• Dressing frames
• Opening and closing bottles, boxes and jars
• Flower arranging
• Wiping tables
• Scrubbing tables and chairs
• Sweeping
• Gardening
• Holding objects on a tray