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Assignment
Module#2
Q#1: Write a comprehensive note on the importance of practical life exercises.
ANS:
EPL stand for exercises of practical life. These refer to the actions and activities that
adults perform in daily life, to maintain a proper living condition. Montessori
environment, provide children conditions to execute such exercises. A systematic
approach is, followed to make the child learn from simple to complex activities.
Religious teachings and behavioral exercises are also included in EPL.
Significance of EPL:
Let us elaborate why children should do EPL:
. Attain Independence:
Dependence and independence is a personality feature every child has. Generally,
adults want to do everything for their children. This hinders their independence as things
are, done for them rather helping them to do it themselves. EPL started at right time
help a child to do things themselves and in dependence become their life long
personality trait.
. Developing love for work:
EPL helps the child to love to work as he enjoys doing daily activities by himself. This
increases his self-esteem. It gives him feeling of being important and gives him an
understanding of his environment to how it works. As every day activities are of great
importance, EPL generates love for them.
. Self-Satisfaction and self-respect:
Self-satisfaction and happiness are, attained only when we are enjoying what we are
doing. As adults, a child should, also be allowed to choose activity for himself. Every
child wants to do practical life exercises as he sees his family member doing them on
daily basis. Montessori environment provide opportunity to achieve basic skills, which
are, helpful in future responsibilities. A child who is educated in a way as he is doing
worthwhile things leads to self-satisfaction and happiness.
. Making world a better organized and tidier place:
A principle followed in Montessori school, “there is a place for everything, and
everything has a place”, is an essential element of EPL that is, winding up. This
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principle cannot be, ignored, as it may mess up our environment. Placing things in their
right place make it easier for us to find.it is the responsibility of an adult to provide child
sized cupboards and shelves so to teach the practice of putting things at their right
place from an early age. It does not mean to force a kid rather help should be, provided
to make the work more enjoyable. Tiding up, no doubt, develops a good habit and make
a child more organized.
. Give and take help gracefully:
EPL helps us to give and receive help gracefully which most of us does not know, it
make us learn to give and take help from younger to older children happily. For example
making our kids clean their room would be easier if we say it like, “let us clean the guest
room today, the kitchen tomorrow and your room the next day”. This exercise not only
develop habit of performing chores but helping others agreeably.
. Passing good habits to the next generation:
Children mostly imitate their elders. If he is seeing, adults complain about their work he
will follow them by avoiding his work, as he grow old. This cycle of bad habits can only
be broken if we give our child a better environment for learning good working habits for
the next generation to learn.
. For Perfection of movement:
Children are by nature constantly in motion. However, as they grow old their
movements become, more controlled according to their will. Exercises like setting the
table, rolling a carpet, carrying toys, polishing shoes etc., strengthen their muscles and
enable controlled movements. As the child takes interest in his work these movements
are enjoyable rather than tiring. As his body movements improves he start to walk,
stand and sit excellently.
. Normalization of the child:
The age of zero to seven refers to as the sensitive period, where he undergoes strong
urges to develop appropriate experiences. If the adults try to suppress these urges, the
children might deviate. It is the spiritual goal of EPL to; satisfy the inner urges of
children that lead them to normality.
. Developing love for universe:
Exercises that include personal care, care of the environment, care of living things,
practices of grace and courtesy, develops love for universe. The child develop love for
the universe if he is, taught to be peaceful, responsible and cares for everything.
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. Avoiding personality disorder:
Children who are unconfident and introvert are, actually rejected or suppressed by their
elders in their sensitive period. They do not show interest in activities because they
could not able to fulfill their urge in sensitive period. Therefore, to avoid this kind of
personality disorder, practical life exercises help to fulfill their urges inside their heart. It
provide them maximum opportunity to learn and develop fully.
No doubt, exercises of practical life help children to face the world confidently. It make
them more independent and responsible.

Q#2. Explain the different groups of exercises of practical life. How do u think this grouping is
helpful?
ANS.
There are four major groups of EPL.
. Elementary exercises.
. Exercises of personal care.
. Grace and courtesy exercises.
. Care of environment exercises.
1. ELEMENTARY EXERCISES:
This category is, divided into three sub groups:
a. Basic elementary exercises.
b. Elementary exercises.
c. Higher elementary exercises.
a. Basic elementary exercises:
The activities in this group are very basic movement like holding and placing objects.
For example, holding and carrying a jug, glass, tray, mat etc. These types of exercises
help a child to balance, coordinate and perfect his movements. A child learn proper
ways of carrying and holding different things. These exercises also improve hand and
eye coordination. They also bring exactness and precision in daily work.
b. Elementary exercises:
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The activities in this group are a little advanced and complex than basic elementary
exercises. Overall, they are, also done within a short period. For example, rolling and
unrolling mats, folding and unfolding mats, opening and closing bottle tops, pouring
water from one jug to another jug etc. The aim of these exercises are to master basic
exercises, prepare a child for geometry and writing and improve muscle coordination.
They also help in increasing the level of concentration in children.
c. Higher elementary exercises:
The activities in this group involves many logical and complex exercises than basic and
elementary exercises. For example, spooning beans into a number of containers,
cutting along a line, use of dropper, sponging water, using fennel, wringing a wet cloth
etc. The aim of these exercises is to build concentration, coordination and perfection in
movements and to improve hand and eye coordination. They also prepare children for
division indirectly and uses of scissors.
2. PERSONAL CARE:
This category describes personal care of a child. A child learns to take care of himself
under the supervision of a teacher. These exercises help them gain confidence and
groom them in a very decent and mannerly way. For example, washing hands and
face, cutting nails, combing hair, brushing teeth, dressing frames and many more.
These exercises help children to take care of themselves and introduces all stuff related
to personal care for example, soap, comb, tissue paper, mirror, dustbin, toothpaste,
brush etc. The teacher perform these activities, which help children know about daily
routine’s personal care.
3. GRACE AND COURTESY:
The activities in this group make a child learn to be polite, well-mannered and socially
confident. These exercises are especially important in preserving the culture of a nation.
They also create a right rapport between a child and his environment. The activities in
this group teaches students, how to sit and stand properly, greet people, excuse
oneself, interrupt when necessary, using titles of respect, opening and shutting of door
silently etc. This kind of exercises help child to move in society in a decent way.
4. CARE OF ENVIRONMENT:
The activities in this group involves care of outdoor and indoor environment. It help a
child learn to take care of environment. How to keep clean and how to restore and
maintain proper living conditions. Indoor exercises include, washing dishes, dusting,
polishing brass, and floral arrangement. Outdoor exercises include, watering plants,
picking up dried leaves, etc. These activities builds confidence and care
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of environment in a child. These activities become habit of a child. For example, picking
up dried leaves, watering plants, taking care of garden, cleaning floor make him a
person who has love for cleanness and awareness of his surroundings. Practical life
exercises are no doubt, very essential for children in helping a child to become a good
person. They build self-confidence and independence. As Montessori said,
”The child can only develop by means of experience in his environment. We call
such experience work”.

Q#3. What are the essential points that we should keep in mind while presenting EPL?
ANS:
Presentation of EPL is a very important part of learning process of a child. The
directress should use correct technique in a proper way. Children are mostly keen
observers and they love to follow their teacher; therefore, the directress should practice
her presentation to avoid any mistake. There are two methods of presenting EPL
1. Individual presentation.
2. Group presentation
1. Individual presentation:
This kind of presentation involve only one child. We should keep the following points in
mind while conducting such presentation,
a. The materials used should be at eye level of a child so that he get interested in
working with it.
b. While placing objects follow the rule, “a thing for a place and a place for a thing”.
c. The things must be ready before presentation.
d. Ask the child before presentation “Would you like me to show you how we work
with it?”
e. Brief the child regarding the use of that material and its place.
f. Allow the child to help you in placing the material.
g. The environment should be cheerful and relaxed. Economy of language and
movements should be, used. The principle is, “you should not speak while
demonstrating and you should not demonstrate while speaking.”
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h. The presentation must be short, brief and lively.

i. Allow the child to carry out the activity after presentation.
j. Do not interrupt a child while working.
k. The materials should be, returned to its proper place.
l. The objective of such presentation is to make the child work independently, and
kindle his natural interest to carry out such activities. Perfection should not be,
demanded.
2. Group presentation:
Individual presentations are, mostly given in a Montessori as each child need specific
attention. However, sometime group presentations are, also carried out. Most of the
rules are similar to the individual presentations, so they must be, kept in mind. The rules
that are specific for a group presentation are as follows,
a. A directress should ensure that all the children in a group are willing to take
instructions before starting a presentation.
b. If any child seems unwilling and could disturb the class, presentation should not
be, continued.
c. A child should be, provided with separate materials to carry out the activity, after
the presentation. This will eliminate the chance of any kind of disturbance for a child.

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.
ANS:
Formal setting of a table:
Material:
Tablemat, Plate, Glass, Spoon, Knife, Fork and Napkin
Presentation:
1. Place a child size table. Ask the children to gather around the table to learn a
new activity. Make sure that every child is willing to learn.
2. Bring the material to the workplace with the help of the children.
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3. Place the mat, by holding the top right corner with your right thumb and index
finger and the top left corner with your left thumb and index finger, in front of the chair.
4. Place the plate in the middle of the mat without making any sound.
5. Fold and place the napkin on the left side of the plate.
6. Place the fork on the left side of the plate.
7. Place the knife on the right side of the plate.
8. Place the spoon on the right side of the knife.
9. Place the glass on the right side of the tablemat.
10. Allow the children to use the material one by one to practice the activity.
11. Put the material back to its place with the help of children.
Points of Interest:
· Remembering the placement of objects.
· balancing material while holding and carrying.
· Concentration.
Point of Error:
· dropping utensils while carrying them.
· making sounds while placing material.
Direct Aim:
Learning and remembering table setting.
Indirect Aim:
· Coordination of movement.
· Balancing.
· Concentration.
. Preparation of advanced exercises.
Age Group:
3 years and onwards.
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Making a chicken spread sandwich:

Material:
Bread slices as required, 1 1/2 to 2 cups minced cooked chicken, 1/4 to 1/3 cup
mayonnaise, salt, pepper, salad leaf and tomato sauce.
Presentation:
1. Ask the children to gather around the table to learn a new activity. Make sure that
every child is willing to learn.
2. Bring the material to the workplace with the help of the children.
3. Introduce all ingredients to children first.
4. Mix all the ingredients except the slices and salad leaves in a bowl with the help
of a spoon
5. With help of a butter knife spread a small amount of mixture on a slice, place a
salad leaf on it and the other slice. Cut it in to triangles.
6. Ask all students to make their own sandwich.
7. Clean the place and utensils and put them back on their place.
Point of interest:
. Mixing of ingredients.
Control of error:
. Thing can get messy.
. Dropping material.
Direct aim:
. Learning to make a chicken spread sandwich.
Indirect aim:
. Concentration.
. Exercise of hands and coordination of movements.
. Exactness and precision.

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Q#5. Write just the names of as many EPL as possible (that you think a child can do) and which
are not mentioned in the book.
ANS:
1. Sewing
2. Opening and closing a lock with the help of a key.
3. Screwing and unscrewing using a screwdriver.
4. Wearing socks and shoes.
5. Wearing a coat.
6. Peeling a boiled egg.
7. Climbing a ladder.
8. Sharping a pencil.
9. Washing bicycle.
10. Spreading sheet on a bed.
11. Eating with spoon and fork.
12. Making a flower bouquet.
13. Folding a blanket.
14. Opening and closing bottle lids.
15. Stirring to make a glass of juice.
16. Ironing a handkerchief.
17. Sorting laundry according to color.
18. Using kitchen utensils.
19. Answering telephone call.
20. Opening and shutting door quietly.
21. Whisking an egg.
22. Erasing a mistake.
23. Tapping.
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24. Sowing a seed.

25. Icing and decorating a cake.
26. Blowing a balloon.