07/23/2023
Practical life is one of the most important aspects of the Montessori classroom. These lessons introduce children to the steps needed to accomplish day-to-day tasks that help them independently care for themselves and their community. The children find joy in learning how to snap their jackets or make their own sandwiches. They smile with pride as they arrange their first vase of flowers, sweep a big pile of leaves on the patio, or help to sew a button back into a class apron. Practicing and perfecting these activities have the added benefit of helping the child learn to complete a series of sequential steps, increasing their ability to concentrate for longer periods, and helping them to learn from any mistakes they make along the way. Through these activities, the children become self-directed, independent, and self-confident! It's amazing!
Luckily, the joys of practical life do not end in the primary classroom. This week, I have been engaging in a little adult practical life. I have watched seamstresses around me use a serger to magically create beautiful finishes on fabric and I have been a little intimidated to try it myself. But! This week I watched (and re-watched) a few great YouTube videos, and I spent hours in front of this machine attempting to surge the ends of my fabric. I did my best to follow the logical steps needed to thread the serger using four different spools and carefully fed my fabric through the machine. There was (and continues to be) a TON of learning from my mistakes. While I am still a long way from surging in a straight line, I am becoming more confident in my skills and even tried my hand at a rolled hem. Maybe some new polishing cloths are in my future? Is this how the children feel when they learn something new?
What practical life are you trying today?
