The purpose and aim of Practical Life is to help the child gain control in the coordination of his/her movement, and help the child to gain independence and adapt to his/her daily environment. It is therefore important to “Teach teaching, not correcting,” (Montessori) in order to allow the child to be a fully functioning member of his/her own society. Practical Life Exercises also aid the growth and development of the child’s intellect and concentration, in turn also helping the child develop an orderly way of thinking. Social graces and courtesy are central to the area of Practical Life as well, as children learn to take turns, develop meaningful interactions with one another and develop a sense of care for environment, other people and themselves.
Children engage with aesthetically pleasing and familiar materials found in their daily environment in order to acquire the skills, concentration, independence and orderliness needed to become proficient in other areas of the classroom as well as in their day-to-day world. Through pouring, folding, sorting, sweeping and carefully navigating through the classroom environment, children develop valuable gross and fine motor skills, as well as self-care and regulation. The Montessori methodology capitalizes on the child’s attraction to “real life” materials rather than toys, as well as their desire for learning through hands-on experiences and exploration.