“The child is by nature a worker, and when, by working in this special fashion, which is according to his nature, he can accomplish a great deal of work without ever feeling fatigued. When he works in this way he shows himself to be happy and by working in this way he also becomes cured of certain psychic anomalies that he had, and by curing himself of these he enters into a more natural form of life.” (Maria Montessori, ‘Child’s Instinct to Work’)
Writing a post on Practical Life is probably one of the most difficult ones to do, due to the incredible amount of very practical, detailed, and knowledgeable information available on the internet. However, I would like to take a different spin on it and do a sneak peek into the past. 50 or 60 years ago it was generally accepted for children, as young as one year of age, to help around the house and perform simple but very purposeful tasks.
For example, young children used to contribute to planting potatoes by following their parents who dug the hole in the ground and throwing it into holes. It helped to create a sense of belonging from a very young age.
In comparison, today, parents are not as patient, everything needs to be done quickly and efficiently. As a result, children find ways to become destructive, because their need to be involved in learning early to perform real-life activities is not met. On the other hand, when children learn to be engaged in helping around the house, they gain a feeling of accomplishment, stronger self-esteem, and confidence.
I would like to share how we allow our toddler to play her part in our everyday life, my experience in the classroom and give some suggestions for different Practical Life exercises.
I found that the best way to allow the child to engage in practical life activities at home – is to follow their lead. To be honest, it was not easy for me to do. But I decided not to push and follow her clues. And surprise! It worked! I placed her special tools around the house next to mine, and whenever I started doing something, she happily picked them up and allowed me to show her how to use them.
1. Mopping is her favorite. Gee… I wish these favorites would stick with them till they are teenagers.
In the classroom setting, one of the favorite cleaning activities – is the washing exercise:
A child brings water in a bucket – pours water into a bowl – puts a little bit of soap onto the scrub brush – scrubs the table – takes a wet sponge and wipes soap off the table with a left-to-right movement – dries the table with a hand towel – pours soapy water back into the bucket and carries it to the bathroom or outside.
2. When A was younger – she used to grab a cloth and walk around the house wiping everything that caught her attention. Now, since she is a bit older, she is encouraged to dry and clean her spills.
3. Working with a dustpan is still a bit tricky at the age of two.
In our classroom, we used to have a table dustpan for the food crumbs, and table dustpan for everything else, and a dustpan for the floor.
4. Window cleaning is usually one of the first practical life activities that young children can master quite quickly and do on their own – around 18 months of age.
5. I love using a mini mortar and pestle for practical life in the kitchen. It can be very helpful. Children from an early age can start practicing crushing all sorts of things, like eggshells, rock salt, pomegranate seeds, black pepper, wheat bix, and biscuits. So much fun and a great learning opportunity – learning to apply pressure, the opportunity to observe “cause and effect”, etc.
6. Cutlery sorting is great. My miss A takes so much pride in accomplishing this task every morning.
7. Cooking together at this stage can be quite challenging. In my experience, grating, juicing, peeling, and baking together have the best effect when it is done in the morning or around lunchtime, unless, of course, your child has mastered most of these skills and can access tools without any help.
8. These are the simple tasks that beauty A does in the kitchen. Whenever I see an opportunity for her to get involved – I invite her to participate.
9. Spread butter (jam, Vegemite, cream cheese, etc.) on a racker.
- Collecting dry clothes
- Taking care of self
- Weeding
These are only a very FEW examples of practical life learning experiences we had in our classroom.
13. Damper baking. This activity was in demand all the time. We were very fortunate to have a mini oven in our classroom. On the wall, children could see a step-by-step presentation of the damper-making process and had access to all the ingredients.
After that child could enjoy their damper with a choice of butter or jam.
- Taking care of the classroom. Children were encouraged to sweep the floor and their table after each mealtime.
- Plant dusting – taught children great hand control and to be gentle with living things.
- Taking care of the classroom pet – changing newspapers, cleaning and feeding dishes, replacing food and water.
Here is a list of activities we are working on with my toddler at home
Practical Life - Children's Learning Resources
Detachable Kids Cleaning Toy Set
It contains 7 different pieces including a wooden broom, mop, duster, dustpan, brush, rag and organizing stand. It Comes With Everything Your Children Needed For Pretend Play. Allows Your Children To Learn How To Do, Also Part Of Stem Housework And Can Also Use Our Toys To Do Some Real Housework Activities.
Rubbermaid FG2963TPBISQU Neat 'N Tidy Bucket, 11-Quart, Bisque
This bucket's heavy wire bails offer extra durability for heavy use.
Crumb Cleaning Set with Magnet Brush
Stainless Steel and Wood
Magnet on Back of Brush for Attaching to Tray
Bamboo Dish Scrub Brushes by Subekyu, Kitchen Wooden Cleaning Scrubbers Set for Washing Cast Iron Pan/Pot, Natural Sisal Bristles, Set of 3
High-density firm bristles make it easy to brush off stains on a variety of surfaces without wearing and scratching.
3-Ounce Stainless Steel Bell Creamer
6 Pieces Wooden Kids Kitchen Knife Include Wood Kids Knife Plastic Potato Slicers Cooking Knives Serrated Edges Toddler Knife Kids Plastic Knife for Kitchen Children Baking Knife (Lemon Style)
Reliable and long lasting materials: these wooden kids kitchen tools are mainly made of plastic and wood materials, which are reliable, long lasting, not easy to break or deform, can give you a good using experience; This toddler knife is painted with a cute pattern, has wood textures, is close to nature, eye-catching and beautiful, full of rustic feeling, can make your home more attractive
Mini Ceramic Pitcher 4 oz (125ml) _ 3.3" high _ very small
Baby Silicone Cup, Silicone Trainer Cup with Handles, Unbreakable, Non-Slip Handles Sippy Cup for Toddlers, 5 oz (Sage)
Our trainer cup made of soft silicone BPA-, BPS-, PV-, phthalates-, lead- and latex-free, to help protect baby's developing teeth while allowing for a nonslip grip to make movements to the mouth more successful.
Mr. Woodware Sensory Bin Tools Montessori Toys for 1-3 Year Old Toddlers Set of 9 Wooden Spoons, Scoops, Bowls, Tongs, Cubes for Fine Motor Skills Development + Free Cotton Bag Included
Wooden Montessori sensory set of spoons, scoops, bowls, tongs, and cubes is perfect for pouring beans, oats, rice, and sand. These toys can promote kids' fine motor skills in a better, natural way. And give them the freedom to learn new things.
Curious Chef Children's 6-Piece Fruit and Veggie Prep Kit
The Curious Chef 6-Piece Fruit & Veggie Prep Kit includes a vegetable scrubber, melon baller, medium nylon knife, apple slicer, large silicone spoon and vegetable peeler, plus a bonus sticker set and shopping menu.
Amazing Child Mini Ceramic Creamer Pitcher 4 oz (110ml)
Luminarc Quadro 16.75-Ounce Jug/Pitcher with White Lid
Enamelware Collection™ Rectangular Serving Tray, 16 x 11.5"
Kiddison Metal Pitcher Color Options Montessori Practical Life Materials (Blue Ash) Pitcher for Toddlers
Amazing Child Mini Glass Pitcher 9 Ounces - 5" High. Child Sized. Very Small Size
MR.SIGA Mini Dustpan and Brush Set, Portable Cleaning Brush and Dustpan Combo with Bamboo Handle, 1 Set
MR.SIGA mini handheld dustpan and brush set has a natural bamboo handle, which is more environmentally friendly and comfortable to hold.
Boardwalk 951TEA Lobby/Toy Broom, Corn Fiber Bristles, 39" Wood Handle, Red/Yellow
OXO Good Grips All Purpose Scrub Brush
Joie Crinkle Cutter / Wavy Knife for Any Vegetable, Great Crinkle Cutter for Veggies, Stainless Steel Blade, Colors Vary
Have fun with this crinkle cutter knife! If you need a slicer for veggies, french fries or fruit, try this wavy cutter for fancy edges and waffle cuts.
OXO Good Grips1.5 Qt Mixing Bowl
R&M International Apple Peeler Machine with Suction Mount, Peels, Cores and Slices
LEETOYI Porcelain Mortar and Pestle, Ceramic Herb Grinder Pill Crusher Set, 3.3-inch White
5.1-Inch Dark Stained Beech Pepper Mill
Kids Knife Set For Cooking – 5 Piece Kids Cook Set in Aqua – Kids Cooking Supplies with Kids Chef Knife, Kids Paring Knife, Kids Peeler, Kids Serrated Knife & Universal Holder – TruChef
The blades on these kids knives are rounded at the tip, to prevent the possibility of accidental stabbing. As you supervise their cooking experience, you'll have one less danger to worry about.
9 Pieces Kid Kitchen Knife Set, Kids Safe Knives for Real Cooking, Serrated Edges Plastic Toddler Knife, Crinkle Cutter, Y Peeler, Children Gloves, Sandwich Cutter, Cutting Fruit, Bread, Lettuce
Three serrated edges toddler knives and a cooking plastic knife of different shapes are all designed with serrated teeth, which is not easy injury to the hand, and gloves can protect little hands from injury.
TruChef Kid Safe Tomato Steak Serrated knife - Kid friendly multi-use knife for kids cooking gifts
These kids kitchen knives have blunt tips and serrated edges, which are tough on food but easy on kids hands. The kid knives are stainless steel, lightweight and provide a secure and comfortable grip, helping unleash your junior master chef in the kitchen.
BOSKA Boska Holland Mini Oak Table Grater
Norpro Double Melon Baller w/Wood Handle, 8 In, Brown
Easily scoop decorative balls from melon, butter, pears, apples, potatoes, cheese and ice cream!
Vegetable Crinkle Cutter and French Fry Slicer
Prepworks by Progressive Egg Beater
Norpro Stainless Steel Mini Tongs
Mrs. Anderson’s Baking Hand Crank Flour Icing Sugar Sifter, Stainless Steel, 5-Cup
HIC Flying Saucer Mortar and Pestle Grinder, Porcelain, White
Norpro Multi Grater with Juicer, One Size, As Shown
Norpro Strainer, 3.25", White
Mason Cash Colour Mix Powder Pink S18 Chip Resistant Earthenware 26cm Mixing Bowl
HIC Harold Import Co. HIC Ice Tong, Japanese Stainless Steel, 6.25 1-Inch, 6.25 Inch, Silver
2 Pairs of Child Latex Rubber Re-usable Gloves - Great Value and Quality ! for Ages 3-5 Years (Average Sized Child)
Hi! My partner, with whom we often disagree as to how many responsibilities a child should take on at home, sent me this link. My question is (and it regards my 6year old daughter, of whom he is the stepfather), do you consider it ok for a child of preschool age to have specific chores assigned to him/her exclusively? And if yes, considering the importance of play and leisure in the life of a preschooler, what time flexibility would you consider adequate?
Thanks!
Daphne
Hello Daphne!
I found that young children – around toddler age – are generally more keen to do chores because they love to imitate us and follow their parents and caregivers. Once children grow older, their focus switches to more independent play and desire to spend more time with their friends. At the age of six usually children are expected to take care of their own messes, spills, make their bed, fold their closed, prepare themselves snack (for example, toast with jam), etc. The rest really depends on you and your preferences and what you agree as a whole family. Children at the age of 6 can unload dishwasher, dust, water the flowers and a few more tasks you would feel comfortable them doing personally in your house. However, again, you need to agree as a whole family what these responsibilities are. Number one responsibility of the child is to take care of their own needs and messes. When it comes to chores I believe you need to find what works for you – something that won’t require constant nagging from your part and will be helpful to you, realistic. As the child grows and matures more can be passed upon them and become part of their daily and weekly responsibilities. It will only benefit them since they will learn more to appreciate what they have and appreciate your hard work as well. It will equip them for future. I hope this answers your question!