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

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NUMBER:DK2505

A. PRACTICAL LIFE ACTIVITIES INTRODUCTION: In the beginning everyday life are practical life
activities and they are involved in all aspects of life. These activities are cultural and specific to the
child’s period. It helps give the child a sense of being and belonging. Through practical life the child
learns about his culture and all about what it is to be human. Children are urged by nature to be
active. They are happy when they are active. They began to develop the behavior of humanity with
its limits and its possibilities. Remembering the capacities of the absorbent mind it should be noted
that the way adults perform their everyday activities impacts the child and his eventual
performance of these tasks. Initially these activities are done to the child and around the child. They
feel important and gains self esteem. A practical life exercise helps a child to learn meaningful
activities in a purposeful way. It helps him in his daily life because it is these actions which are
normally performed by everybody in their everyday lives. We all dress, feed and care for ourselves
as well as doing the mundane daily activities that are necessary for survival. Dr Montessori said:
“The child can only develop by means of experience in his environment. We call such experience
work” there is a great importance places on practical life exercises in the classroom and it is seen as
the foundation of the child’s learning. It helps to be independent and self sufficient by allowing him
to make choices, discover consequences and to see himself as a contributing member of the
community. Independence becomes his personality trait and this will help him in his future
endeavors.

PROVIDES SELF SATISFACTION AND DEVELOPS SELF RESPECT: Every child wants to do practical
life exercises as he sees his family and community doing these activities on daily basis. If the child is
allowed to do these activities he will feel responsible and worthwhile, thus he will gain self
satisfaction and self respect. Allow the child time to repeat these activities and remember it’s the
process not the result that will bring the most enjoyment to the child.

IT HELPS OUR ENVIRONMENT A BETTER ORGANIZED AND TIDIER PLACE: In a Montessori

LEARNING AND SUPPORTS GOOD HABITS IN DAILY LIVING: Physical labor helps the body grow,
develops a strong neurological system and increases brain density. This in turn increases in
intelligence and makes us smarter.

PHYSICAL STRENGTH AND REFINES MOVEMENT: A lot of activities in practical life. Which helps
the child build strength and refines his movements for example, rolling up a mats, polishing shoes,
washing the table and floor, setting the table, putting chairs in order, drawing curtains, carrying
furniture etc these exercises are encouraged to help the child refine his body and muscle
movements and develop accurate hand eye coordination. It is a natural exercise, since man ought to
have some object in view when he moves. The muscles should always serve the intellect and thus
preserve their functional unity with the human personality. The more control a child develops over
his movements, the more freedom he can enjoy, as the adults would not be hindering his movement
because of the fear of damage to the environment or himself.

IT DEVELOPS A LOVE FOR LEARNING: PL activities help the child develop a love for work because
by nature he enjoys doing activities that involves daily routine. It gives the child feeling of being
trays, roll and unroll the mat, pick up leaves, clean the home and its surroundings etc. all these
activities, though tedious in the life of an adult are of a great importance to the child. It is through
these hands on activities that the child constructs his physical, mental and emotional self. care of
living things and exercises of grace and courtesy. The child develops love for the entire universe
and all forms of life. He tends to be a peaceful and responsible individual who cares about almost
everything as care becomes an integral part of his personality.

INDEPENDENCE: Practical life activity helps a child to be independent and self sufficient by of the
community. Independence becomes his personality trait and this will help him in his future
endeavors.

AVOIDING PERSONALITY DISORDERS: Children who are introvert and lack confidence actually are
rejected and turned down by adults during their learning phase. Kids learn how to do cooking and
use other kinds of machinery but neither achieves the level of perfection, as they have not gotten
opportunities to practice them at the right age.

“Sensitive periods” are those peak times when nature allows a person to learn
something the best way. This time is temporary and once it is lost it does not come back again. So
from that day we must be aware of the child’s natural urges by observing what type of activities
interests him the most. Maximum opportunities should be made available to the child during this
phase for development and maximizing learning

DEVELOPING GOOD WORK HABITS TO THE NEXT GENERATIONS: When the child is young he
learns enormously by imitating adults. If at this stage the adults complain about their work, the
child will also avoid all kinds of work when he grows up. Bad attitudes can only be stopped if our
kids today grow up into excellent models with excellent work habits for the next generations to
imitate.

NORMALIZATION OF THE CHILD: We all have seen the amount of joy children take by engaging
themselves in everyday activities like washing, cleaning; cooking, cutting etc. fulfillment of inner
urges leads the child to normality which is the spiritual goal of EPL.

Q. Explain the different groups of exercises of practical life. How do you think this grouping is
helpful?

A. Through exercises of practical life 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 life time of self respect and self worthiness. EPL ultimately provides the
foundation for success in all areas of life. EPL are divided into four main groups.
1. ELEMENTARY EXERCISES

A. BASIC ELEMANTARY EXERCISES

B. ELEMENTARY EXERCISES

C. HIGHER ELEMENTARY EXERCISES

2. EXERCISES OF PERSONAL CARE

3. GRACE AND COURESY 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.

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.

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 her to others etc. Through these activities the child learns to be polite, use basic manners,
how to go around the society.

CARE OF ENVIRONMENT EXERCISES: Children 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 etc. If there is a spill, raking the outdoor area,
taking care of the plants, trees and animals etc. exercises of care of both outdoor and indoor
environments are components of this category. The child learns to take care of the environment,
how to keep it clean and how to restore and maintain proper living conditions.

INDOOR EXAMPLES: Polishing brass, washing dishes, dusting, flower arrangements etc.
OUTDOOR EXAMPLES: Picking up dried leaves, watering plants, etc.

Q. What are the essential points that we should keep in mind while presenting EPL?

A. The presentation of EPL is very important and difficult task because when a child is admitted to a
Montessori school by the age of three years, EPL should be taught to him stepwise with accuracy
and intelligently. A directress should be very careful while presenting it. Children are very good
observer. The child moves from easier to complex. Many a time complex activities are broken down
into many simpler activities. Along with that, skills acquired while mastering one activity also help
the child perform related next ones easily. Each step of an activity must be done with skill and
clarity so that the child practices each step, gains perfection, and then moves on to the next step.

There are two ways of presenting EPL:

A. Direct presentation.
B. Indirect presentation.

DIRECT PRESENTATION: It is defined as when a teacher introduces that we are going to do an

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 is 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 student 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.

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. Ask students to bring material with her and tell briefly him about what they are going to do.

9. She should observe the children very keenly.

10. Those activities which are not being used by children should put away.

11. The teacher should not interrupt the child while doing activity incorrectly but she can
demonstrate same activity later on.

12. She should appreciate students as appreciation make all perfect.

13. Allow the child to get involved in the presentation.

14. Be focused in your presentation using an economy of words and limited movement.

15. Be clear about putting the material back on the shelf. Model completing the work cycle.

16. Maintain eye contact when inviting or speaking to the child.

17. The child focus should be on the materials and the presentation, not on your words.

Q. 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?

A. MATERIAL:

Butter spreader

Fork, spoon, knife

A drinking glass

Napkin

Butter plate

Salad plate

PRESENTATION:

To present formal table setting, gather students around the table.

Place things on their right places.

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 for water at the top right side of dinner plate.
Put the napkin on the dinner side.

Repeat all procedure one time more.

Now ask students one by one to do as u did.

AGE GROUP: 3 ½ and onwards

EXERCISE:

11/2 to 2 cups minced cooked chicken

¼ to 1/3 cup mayonnaise

Salt and pepper to taste

Cayenne, garlic, onion powder your choice to taste

PREPARATION:

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

A. 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? “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. What
happens when a child is allowed to prepare their own snack, slice their own apples, pour their own
drink and wash and dry their own dishes. These activities help children to build self confidence in
them as Montessori said: “never help a child with a task at which he feels he can succeed”

NAMES OF EPL: Pouring liquids without spilling, opening and closing lids, matching socks, folding
socks, tie the shoes by themselves; help mother is setting bed sheets, put things and toys on proper
places, clean up their mess, turning lights on and off, dish washing, do mobbing, vacuuming,
painting and polishing furniture, dusting is their favorite work, put wet clothes in dryer, folding
clothes and towels, help in kitchen chores, try to make round roti, baking with elder, peeling fruits
and vegetables, wash hands and face, dry with towel and hang on proper place, brush teeth, put
lotions on face, get dressed and comb hair.

Choose their own cloths, polishing shoes, watering plants, sow seeds, give water and excited to see
growth of plants, flower arranging, pick fruits and vegetables from home garden, care of pets, feed
animals and birds, pour water for birds, how to greet someone, answer phone and say hello, how to
sit properly on chair, table manners, how to open and shut door quietly, knocking on door, walking
on line and there are so many more EPL exercises that child is learning from time to time.

The purpose and aim of practical life is to help the child gain control in the coordination of his
movement and help the child to gain independence and adapt to his society.

“WE DISCOVERED THAT EDUCATION IS NOT SOMETHING WHICH THE TEACHER DOES BUT THAT
IT IS A NATURAL PROCESS WHICH DEVELOPS SPONTANEOUSLY IN THE HUMAN BEING”

MARIA MONTESSORI