ASSIGNMENT Name:

MODULE 1 Roll No:

Due date:

Q:1 Write a comprehensive note on the importance of practical life exercises.

Answer:
Montessori stated that at each plane of development there is a sensitive period for different skills and activities.
It is critical that proper stimulation be provided as nature intended. A child enters the Children's House
(Montessori preschool) around the age of three. It is here where the Work of the Family, known as Practical
Life activities, provides an introduction and smooth transition to the Montessori school by linking the activities
that the child is familiar with at home to the school environment.

Children at this age enjoy, and even prefer, spending their time helping adults with their activities. When
allowed to do so, the child learns that his contributions are of value, thus boosting his self-esteem and
independence. He enjoys and should be encouraged to use child-size replicas of adult tools. In short, the direct
aim of Montessori Practical Life activities is to help develop social skills and independence. Indirectly, Practical
Life activities develop fine motor skills, as well as strengthening intellect, concentration, and personal will.

The importance of beauty in the Montessori classroom can be keenly observed in the Practical Life area of the
classroom. Practical Life activities have a unique purpose which, when carried out properly, are very calming.
To the adult eye, these activities may seem simple and repetitive, but a child who is learning to wash a table or
fold napkins is accomplishing more than meets the eye. The Montessori teacher realizes that the child is:

 demonstrating a high level of concentration

 developing a sense of order (putting all materials back where they belong)
 taking pride in a job well done
 increasing independence through care of self and the environment
 developing respect for his community (using materials appropriately and cleaning up afterwards)
 improving fine motor coordination

These activities provide the foundation and set the stage for all works in the Montessori classroom. These
include such tasks as how to roll and unroll a mat, how to walk around a mat, how to sharpen a pencil, how to
put down a chair, and walking on the line.
These activities provide the means for children to become physically independent. These may include such
activities as how to wash hands, how to brush teeth, how to pack a lunch, how to pack an overnight bag, and
how to tie shoes.
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Learning how to clean is very important in the Montessori classroom. These activities may include how to set
the table, how to clean dishes and cutlery, how to sweep the floor, how to dust the shelves, how to water the
plants, and how to clean up spills.

These activities are not found on the shelves. Rather, the Montessori teacher introduces social graces and
courtesies such as how to shake hands, saying please and thank you, how to interrupt someone, and how to
cough and sneeze.

Practical Life activities should be taken very seriously. The child works patiently, with reverence. This is her
work and it is important that it is respected as such. Where adults usually chose the most efficient and quickest
way to do something, a child works to perfect her skills and master the activity. Her purpose is not so much to
complete the task as it is to construct herself. The adults in her life should take pleasure in the child's
achievements: "Oh, it is nice to have such a clean table." "What a clean and shiny mirror!" "You must have
worked very hard on this."

The most important work in the Montessori preschool may be the Practical Life activities. Parents who are
unfamiliar with Montessori education may feel that Practical Life activities are a waste of time. "Why is my
child learning how to wash dishes when they should be learning how to do something more academic, like
math?" Math, reading, and language all require one to have the ability to focus, to be able to complete a task
with logical and sequential steps, to concentrate, to make intelligent choices, and to see a task from start to
finish. This is precisely the intent of the Practical Life activities.
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Q:2 Explain the different groups of exercises of practical life. How do you think this
grouping is helpful?
Answer:
Through Exercises of Practical Life (EPL) a child not only learns concentration, coordination, independence and
order, but also how to interact with others and gain an understanding and appreciation of the environment. The
child begins to build himself from within while learning to treat him and others with respect and dignity. These
understandings ultimately prepare the child for entry into society and a lifetime of self-respect and self-worthiness.
EPL Ultimately provides the foundation for success in all areas of life. The prepared environment is directly
correlated to the child’s development. The classroom is specifically designed area arranged solely for the children.
There should be a variety of movement and activity and all work operates together through discipline. Children
respond well to beauty, order and quality in their environment.

EPL are divided into four main groups:

1) Elementary Exercises
a) Basic Elementary Exercises
b) Elementary Exercises
c) Higher Elementary Exercises
2) Exercises of Personal Care
3) Grace and Courtesy Exercises
4) Care of Environment Exercises

1-Elementary Exercises:
These exercises assist in creating routine and order in the environment and are pre requisite for other activities.
It is sub divided into three categories:

a) Basic Elementary Exercises: In these exercises child learn fundamental activities involve muscle and mind
coordination. Exercises like taking object holding it and put it back, open and close the door, etc.

b) Elementary Exercises: In these exercises child learn a bit more advance and complex activities using muscle and
mind coordination. Exercises like rolling and unrolling of mats, holding a chair, pouring rice from one jug to
another, etc.

c) Higher Elementary Exercises: In these exercises child learn logical and bit more complex activities. Exercises
like walking on the line, silence practice, etc.

2- Exercises of Personal Care:

These exercises assist in how to deal and take care of one own self. Care of self may include exercises on how to
wash the hands, use the bathroom, brush teeth, wear different kind of clothes, open and close buttons, lace shoes
etc.

3-Grace and Courtesy Exercises:

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These exercises assist child to learn manners and how to deal with other people. It also help child to learn different
situation and how to behave and react in different situations. Child learns how to use the words "excuse me" when
he needs to interrupt or ask for help. The child learns how to give thanks and show his gratitude; how to greet
someone and introduce her to others etc.

4- Care of Environment Exercises:

In these exercises child learn how to take care of environment. Care of the environment may include exercises on
organizing the clutter, sorting and putting things in the right places, dusting shelves, sweeping the floor, mopping
if there is a spill, raking the outdoor area, taking care of the plants, trees, animals etc.

Exercises of practical life helps to aid the child to develop his coordination in movement, his balance and his
gracefulness in his environment as well as his need to develop the power of silent. Children are naturally interested
in activities they have witnessed. During the child’s sensitive period between birth and six, the child is
constructing the inner building blocks of his person. By grouping these exercises child manage to grasp each and
every activity. Child learn from basic to complex, from self-control to care of environment, from grace to courtesy
each and everything learned step by step. It helped the child in his entire coming life. When child learn basic
motor skills and then advance complex and logical skills, he become more confident and satisfied then other
children. More importantly, when the child is later taught a skill or an academic accomplishment, it becomes a
part of him.

The beauty of EPL lies in the fact that they can be very easy or more complicated; they can be short or long. The
long exercises are really successive exercises, such as washing and ironing. The lengthy process can be broken
down into manageable steps. Eating snack is part of practical life. Serving yourself and cleaning your place to
make it ready for another are integral to the care of self and the environment. The children use the skills they have
learned in the practical life area around the classroom. Plants are watered, doorknobs polished, etc. Practical life
activities are not separate from the classroom. They are incorporated into the life of the child. Practical life
exercises can also be incorporated into the home.

Q:3 What are the essential points that we should keep in mind while presenting EPL?
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The presentation of EPL is very important and difficult task. A directress should be very careful while
presenting it. Children are very good observer and they love to follow their teacher; therefore the directress
should be perfect in presenting the activity. There are two ways of presenting EPL
1- Direct presentation
2- Indirect presentation

Direct presentation:
It is defined as when a teacher introduces that we are going to do an activity. The teacher should keenly observe
the movement of child. So, she should present an activity in such a way her movement should clear to the child.

Indirect presentation:
Indirect presentation is defined as when the child observes his teacher making presentation and paying attention
to the lesson with teacher being aware of it. It has more importance than direct presentation.

Presenting EPL guidelines:

There are a lot of guidelines for presenting EPL, some are given below:
1- The directress should wear apron while presenting EPL and also ask students to do that.
2- When a child is admitted to a Montessori school, EPL should be taught in such a way that the child could
understand it and work properly in all areas. Therefore, the directress must present the activity in the right way.
3- The directress should show the child how to do activity without making any mistake so in order to do that she
should not do any kind of mistake while presenting it.
4- She should show students that they have to wash their hands after doing any activity that is why she should
wash her hands before them after completing any activity.
5- Before presenting any activity, the directress needs to practice a lot with the material herself.

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6- The directress should not speak while presenting the activity because it may divert the attention of the
students.
7- She should demonstrate her presentation in relaxed, calm and cheerful way to facilitate the students.
8- She should demonstrate her lesson in such a way that the lesson should seem brief and easy.
9- Ask students to bring material with her and tell briefly him about what they are going to do.
10- After the completion of the activity, put all things back to their places by the help of the children.
11- The directress should make aware all students about dangerous tools i.e. knifes, match box etc. and teach
them how to handle that kind of tools.
12- She should observe the children very keenly.

13- Those activities which are not being used by children should put away.
14- The directress should observe this thing that which activities need to be present again or repeat.
15- She should keep in mind that demonstrations need to repeat time to time.
16- The teacher should not interrupt the child while doing activity incorrectly but she can demonstrate same
activity later on.
17- She should appreciate students as appreciation make all perfect.
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Q:4 Try to explain “Formal setting of a table” and “Making a Chicken Spread Sandwich”
In the same way EPL have been explained in this book for you.
Answer:

Material:
· Butter spreader
· A fork, spoon, and knife
· A drinking glass
· Napkin
· Butter plate
· Salad plate

Presentation:
1. To present formal table setting, gather students around the table.
2. Place things on their right places.
3. Dinner plate should be place in the middle
4. Put the knife on the right side of the dinner plate and fork and spoon on the left side.
5. Salad plate should place next to fork.
6. Place a glass for water at the top right side of dinner plate.
7. Put the napkin on the dinner plate.
8. Repeat all procedure one time more.
9. Now ask students one by one to do as you did.

Chicken spread sandwich:

Exercise:
1 1/2 to 2 cups minced cooked chicken
1/4 to 1/3 cup mayonnaise
Salt and pepper, to taste
Cayenne, garlic, onion powder, your choice, to taste

Preparation:

1. Introduce all ingredients to children first.

2. Then add all ingredients one by one in front of them.
3. Mix them all.
4. Now ask all students to make it one by one.

Q:5 Write just the names of many EPL as possible (that you think a child can do) and which
are not mentioned in the book.

ASSIGNMENT Name:
MODULE 1 Roll No:
Answer:
"Any child who is self-sufficient, who can tie his shoes, dress or undress himself, reflects in his joy and sense of achievement
the image of human dignity, which is derived from a sense of independence.”

- Maria Montessori-

Success in life is directly correlated to the degree in which people believe they are capable as well as
independent. And how do we learn to be capable and independent? We practice the skills that are necessary
until we no longer need help and can act and do accordingly.
The skills that are being taught at school are not allowed at home, thus creating a dichotomy in the child’s
thinking: I am capable and independent at school, but at home I am not. Later, when Montessori teachers
comment about how independent a child is, how he enjoys taking care of his environment and keeps his work
area neat and tidy, the parents shake their heads and wonder why these skills are not being demonstrated at
home. The answer is clear; the well-meaning and loving parents have done for the child what he is clearly able
to do himself.

Montessori Practical Life Activities:

Preliminary Activities

 Pouring and transferring liquids and dry ingredients without spilling

 Using scissors
 Opening and closing lids
 Screwing and unscrewing jar lids
 Stirring

Care of the Environment

 Wringing a wet cloth

 Washing a table or counter top
 Sweeping the floor with a broom and dustpan
 Mopping the floor
 Vacuuming
 Polishing silver or brass
 Polishing wood furniture
 Polishing shoes
 Sorting laundry by color
 Matching socks
 Folding towels and wash cloths
 Folding napkins
 Ironing handkerchiefs or pillowcases

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 Sewing on buttons
 Washing dishes: pots and pans; plastic-ware; silver (flat) ware; glasses; plates
 Watering and caring for houseplants
 Flower arranging
 Caring for pets
 Cleaning up spills
 Putting materials and toys away
 Sorting recycling materials

Care of Self

 Washing hands
 Washing face
 Washing hair
 Blowing nose and properly throwing away the tissue
 Sneezing
 Brushing teeth
 Combing hair
 Trimming fingernails
 Running water in the bath
 Hanging up towels after use
 Dressing oneself (including learning how to button, zip, snap, tie, buckle, Velcro)
 Putting on a jacket
 Hanging a jacket on a low hook
 Putting clean clothes in a drawer
 Measuring liquid and dry ingredients
 Peeling fruits and vegetables
 Using kitchen tools (fork, spoon, grater, blunt knife, ice cream scoop, bulb baster, peeler, chopping
board, rolling pin, whisk, pitcher, cookie cutters, melon baller, apple corer, etc.)
 Spreading (like butter, peanut butter, a mixture)

Grace and Courtesy

 How to greet someone

 How to answer the telephone
 How get up from the table
 How to carry a chair properly
 How to open and shut a door quietly
 How to interrupt when necessary
 How to excuse oneself when passing or bumping into another
 How to hand someone something
 Table manners
 Carrying objects without dropping or spilling
 Walking without bumping objects or people.