Practical Life in the Toddler Community

E. washes napkins and placemats

This week brought the first day of school for many children in our Toddler Community. We are so thankful you have chosen COLCM as the place to begin your child's eduction and look forward to seeing the children grow during their years with us. The Toddler Community is specifically designed to meet the young child's particular needs. Maria Montessori called these needs 'Human Tendencies.' Some of the human tendencies that are met in our community include order, consistency, routine, movement, communication, and caring for the self and the environment - also known as Practical Life. 

A.C. enjoys cleaning the windows

Practical Life is the area of our curriculum that teaches life skills. Human beings of all ages have an innate desire to communicate with others, to challenge themselves, to do important work, and to contribute to the environment around them. When children are allowed to do 'real work' of washing dishes, scrubbing a table, preparing food, etc. many wonderful things are taking place on a developmental level. First the children begin to master self-control. If a dish gets dropped and broken, there is no one to tell the child 'you did this the wrong way,' rather the child learns through natural consequences he must use more controlled movements.

This picture is from last year but I love the joy on E's face - he did this pouring work for about 15 minutes!

 If a child is scrubbing a table and gets off all the dirt, the success is clearly apparent to him. No adult offering him stickers and rewards can take the place of a feeling of satisfaction in a job well done. This leads to a healthy self-image and self-esteem that is developed from true accomplishments. Allowing the child to participate in the activities going on around him demonstrates a tremendous act of respect and confidence.

T. and G. get our picnic table nice and clean for a spring picnic

When the child is older and doing more academic work, he will draw from his early success in the Practical Life area. Not only does Practical Life allow the child to experience completing a task and the subsequent good feeling that goes along with real accomplishment - it also teaches the child to think in an orderly and logical manner, paving the way for reading and writing in the Primary class and beyond.

Children have always shown us their interest in Practical Life by pretending to cook and clean, take care of a doll, carrying out adult conversations, etc. But when  given the chance they would much rather be doing the real work of the family and community, instead of pretending. This year we will be talking about lots of ways you can include your child in the important work of Practical Life, starting with our Parent Ed night on Sept. 30.  We're looking forward to it and looking forward to a great year with the toddlers!

Enjoying a community snack

'I know happiness does not come from things. It can come from work and pride in what you do.'
- Ghandi