Q:1 Write the Comprehensive note on the

importance of practical life Exercises?

Ans: Practical: means basic, useful, purposeful.
Life : means the way of living.
Practical life Exercises are just that, they are exercises so the child can learn
how to do living activities in a purposeful way. 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 practical life exercises are the beginning activities for young children.
These exercises improve motor control, eye hand coordination and
concentration. The practical life exercises include environmental care, personal
care, eating, dining and many more.
Children love these practical life exercises and are also taught good work
habits by being encouraged to complete the whole task.

Teaching the children to be thoughtful of the rights of other children, they are
prepared for a successful citizenship and career. The practical life activities
contribute invaluably to the development of the whole person with inner
discipline , self-direction and a high degree of concentration.

Aim Of Practical Life Exercises :

The aim of practical of practical life exercises is to
facilitate learning through day to day work in the children’s home . By
entrusting
house work to young children, they learn important lessons; they execute their
work with devotion and accuracy . By doing this they become singularly calm
and dignified . These exercises are foundational to many aspects of Montessori
education . The relationship between movement and cognition , these
exercises are particularly important because they employ the body in the
service of the mind to fulfill a meaningful goal.

Children are attracted to precision in the early years, such that they like to
know exactly what sequence of steps to carry out in an exercise.
According to Montessori, during the sensitive period between birth to 6 years
of age the child is constructing his inner self . Child is preparing himself for the
big world, using his motor skills and problem solving abilities. Child needs order
and repetition of the same activity to refine certain skills. The child needs to
move to gain balance , grace and confidence.
Based on an idea that freedom implies self-sufficiency, exercises on
practical life sought to train the growing children to master such essential skills
and knowledge as dressing, maintaining themselves
clean and tidy , dusting and sweeping , table-setting, meal and serving etc.
Montessori aims at free activity not at cost of good manners, social order and
harmony. Children under the age of 3 to 7 play and work under the
supervision of a directress who does not act as passive onlooker but as an
active observer. The exercise of practical life are designed to teach the child to
be independent , to supply his own wants and to perform the actions of daily
life with skill and grace. Children keep the workplace in order , dusting and
arranging the furniture, and then taking care of apparatus when they have
worked with as long as they like. Children do all the work connected with the
meal, setting tables, serving food and clearing away and washing the dishes .All
children share alike
in this work, regardless of their age. Children of 3 to 4 soon learn to handle the
plates and glasses, and to pass food.
Practical life exercises have designed to inspire movements directed
to constructive ends. Some of the main purpose of including such exercises in
the classroom are:

 1 : To educate the children’s movements to be geared to a purpose.

 2: To develop children’s ability to concentrate on a task.
 3: To help children to carry out a series of steps in sequence.
 4: To help children learn to care for the environment.
One of an example of a practical life exercise in Montessori
classroom is equipped with a set of material for table washing . This set
includes a large basin to fill with water , a plastic mat to go under the
table , soap, a scrub brush , a sponge and a towel for drying . Item are all
children sized and are usually of the same color so that they obviously go
together. The teacher demonstrates for the child a precise sequence of
actions that are carried out in Table Washing.
The child has probably also
observed other children carrying out the sequence of actions, enabling
him to learn by observation.
Dr. Montessori discovered the importance of the practical life exercises
as follow:
 1 : To enrich the child emotionally.
 2: To endow the child with affirming experience.
 3: To encourage responsibility.
 4: To engage the child physically.
 5: To enliven the child constructively.
 6: To fascinate the child with learning
 7: To enable the child to appreciate independence.
Two Main Purpose Of Practical Life Exercises :

First: is the dignity of work, in the past, the child had an opportunity in
the home to fold clothes pour water , fetch and sweep. As a result ,
children developed motor skills of grace and fluid movement at an early
age. More importantly, children developed competent participation
around the home and the rest of their environment.
Second: reason for the practical life exercises is to enable children to
organize themselves as functional human beings. To do this we must
begin by the time the child is 2 years old, primarily physical & primarily
concerned with himself. We must help him to become master of himself
and then he will be able to master other things.

Q:2 Explain the different groups of exercises

of practical life. How do you think this
grouping is helpful?

Ans: Different Groups Of Exercises Of Practical

Life In Montessori System: Through exercises of practical
life (EPL) a child not only learns concentrations, 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
 Basic Elementary Exercises.
 Elementary Exercises.
 Higher Elementary Exercises.
 2: Exercises of personal care.
 3: Grace and courtesy Exercises.
 4: Care of environment Exercises.
 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:
 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.

 Elementary Exercises: in these exercises child learn a

but 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.

 Higher Elementary Exercises: In these exercises

child learn logical and bit more complex activities.
Exercises like Walking on line , Silence practice etc

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 kinds of
clothes, open and close buttons, lace shoes etc.
 Grace and Courtesy Exercises: 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 him/her to others etc.

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, tree, animals etc.
Importance Of EPL Grouping: EPL grouping 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 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 to 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 skills 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 snacks 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 which we
should keep in the mind while presenting EPL?
Ans: Essential Points While Exercises Of Practical
Life in Montessori System: Children are naturally interested
in activities they have witnessed. It is therefore the directress’s task

to demonstrate the correct way of doing these exercises in a way

that allows the child to fully observe the movement.
The material used in the EPL:
Can be characterized as follows:

 Physical Proportions: They must be the right size for the

child to handle.
 Physically Proportionate: Their functions must be clear to
the child.
 Attractive & Good Quality: Material must be beautiful
and attract the child
 Clean & Well maintained: The material must be kept
intact. Avoid too many material from which child can choose.
 Real not a toy: They must be real material not toys
 One for each exercise: Multiple sets of materials so that the
children learn individually.
 Adaptable: Must be able to change from culture to culture
and be comprised of the same objects the children would find
in their home.
 Separation: Material must be kept separate from other
objects found in the environment.

 Non-Toxic Detergents: Detergents and cleaning solutions

must be non-toxic or diluted in water.
Two Ways to give EPL: The presentation for EPL can
be collective or individual depending on the child’s needs and
the nature of the activity. It can direct or indirect.
 Direct Presentation: Direct presentation are
when we introduce an activity to the child . Analysis of
movement is necessary when giving a presentation to
help the child understand the movements necessary and
the sequence of movement.
 Indirect Presentation: The indirect presentation
are define as when a child is watching the teacher make a
presentation and paying attention to the lesson without a
teacher being aware of it. This can be more important
 than the direct presentation, for the teacher is the biggest
piece of Montessori material.

While presenting any EPL in front of a child teacher or

elder should know these four basic principles:

1: Choosing Activities: while choosing any activity

all material is clean non-toxic. Teacher should first
practice a lot before presenting in front of child. The
exercises taught must be done in the way the children see
them done in their own homes.
2: Setting Up: The practical area must have a place
for everything within reach of the children. For Example,
hooks to hang the brooms and apron, dust pan, mop,
duster, and aprons should be within easy reach of the
children.

The practical life area is best arranged near sink, as water is needed
for some of the activities.
In setting up classroom, provision must be made to practice all types
of housework the child sees done at home. Furniture of all types
must chosen with various surface. In this way, children can learn to
clean some plain unvarnished wood, some polished and some
painted surface.
Things used in the class must include some made of brass and silver
so that children can learn how to polish brass and silver. These
material should not be provided in the room only as exercises, but to
serve other useful purposes as well.
Children need to learn to wash various type of fabrics. Aprons,
duster, dish towels, etc. should be chosen so different fabrics are
represented like linen, denim, cotton etc.
3: Presenting Activities-Guidelines:
For all practical life activities teacher and child should wear aprons
and roll up their sleeves. Child is shown how to work without making
a mess . The child should stand a little away from a table or sink so as
not to lean his stomach on a wet surface.
The child is also shown how to clean up after an exercise and is

encouraged, but not forced, to do so.

7: Demonstrate the activity.

8: Show the child where to return the material when the activity is
completed.
Evaluation: Observe children at work determine when activities
need to be simplified, when the environment needs to be modified, and what
is currently catching the intesrest of your children
a) Remove activities that are no longer being used.
b) Watch child used material appropriately and make amental note.
c) Don’t disturb the child while he is doing any activity, either doing
wrong.Repeat lessons as needed at the neutral time.
d) Appericiate the concentration, the masteryu of any work.

Q No :4 Try to explain “Formal Setting of a table”

& “Making a chicken spread Sandwich” in the
same way EPL have been expalined in this book
for you?
Formal Setting of a table:
Material:
 Butter Knife
 A Fork, Spoon and knife
 A drinking glass
 Butter Plate
 Salad Plate

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

Age Group:
3 ½ and onwards.
Chicken Spread Sandwich:
Exercises:

 ½ to 2 cups minced cooked chicken.

 ¼ to 1/3 cup mayonnaise
 Salt & pepper to taste
 Cayenne, garlic, onion powder, your choice to taste.

Preparation:
 Introduced all ingredients to children first.
 Then add all ingredients one by one in front of them.
 Mix them all
 Now ask all students to make it one by one.

Q No 5 : Write just the names of as many EPL as

possible ( that you think a child can do) and
which are not mentioned in book?

“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 ind
Allowing Children to gain independence and self-discipline is the
purpose of the practical life activities in Montessori classroom an d
at home. I say “Home” because practical life activities have the
purpose of allowing students to gain independence and self-
discipline. These skills can not be practiced only at school. What
happens when a child is allowed to prepare their own snacks, slice
their apples, pour their own drink and wash & dry their own dishes in
the Montessori classroom, but at home is told “Oh you are much too
young to use a knife. you will spill that if you pour it . Let me do it for
you”? The mixed message is clear.
The skills that are being taught in school are not allowed at home,
the creating a dichotomy in the child’s thinking: I am capable and
independent at school. but home I am not. Later, when Montessori
teachers comment about how independent a child I , 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:
Practical life activities are the traditional works of the family and
home. They can be broken down into 4 Categories:
1: Preliminary activities- carrying a tray, pouring water, spooning
grain, walking on the line etc.
2: Care of the environment- cleaning , sweeping, dusting,
gardening, raking, polishing.
3: Care of Self- dressing, toileting, brushing teeth, bathing, combing
hair, preparing food, setting the table.
4: Grace & Courtesy- using table manners, greeting others, saying
“please” & “thank you”, learning to control one’s own body.
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 clothes
 Folding napkins
 Ironing handkerchief or pillowcases
 Sewing on buttons
 Washing dishes: pots & pans; plastic-ware; silver (flat) ware;
glasses; plates.
 Watering and caring for houseplants.
 Flower arranging.
 Caring for pets.
 Cleaning up spills
 Putting material and toys away