Practical Life

One of the great gifts to humanity is the human hand. The fingers and opposing thumb enable even the toddler to experience her environment more fully than any other species. Watch the 18-month old pick up a pencil and flip it to write on paper, and you will be amazed! No other area of Montessori materials is more suited to the marvelous structure and ability of the hand than practical life. The child begins by using this primeval attached tool to grasp and move objects from one place to another. In order to refine his movements, next she can use many tools or mechanisms in her environment to work even more efficiently than only with her hands: spoons from large to small, tongs from large to tweezers, knives, needles, etc. Domination over the substance of water is practiced and gained through first pouring dry materials, then liquids. Caring for all of the child’s environment becomes her passion and joy.