Practical Life

Caring for Plants

One way in which the children can take care of the environment is by caring for the various plants in their classroom. They are able to water the plants and clean their leaves. The children enjoy maintaining and caring for plant life while learning about botany life cycles and the necessities of soil, sun, air and water. (Please click for the full photos.)

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Practical Life

Through Practical Life experiences, a child perfects their coordination, lengthens their span of concentration, pays more attention to detail, refines the small muscles of their hand, and develops their independence. They also build upon their sense of responsibility through care of their environment and grace and courtesy. (Please click to view the video).

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Pumpkin Carving

In celebration of Halloween, the Infants had the opportunity to participate in a favourite holiday past time: pumpkin carving! Not only was this a fun activity, but it encouraged social interactions and engaged the children’s various senses as they scooped out the inside of a large pumpkin, smelled its fresh aroma, and felt the sticky, squishy innards, slimy seeds, and hard shell. (Please click for full photos.)

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Self-Serving

Self-serving provides many opportunities for learning and growth. It promotes autonomy and problem-solving skills, and develops a sense of how much food to take as well as eat. Using serving utensils and jugs refine fine motor skills and eye-hand coordination. Grace and courtesy skills such as saying “please” and “thank you” or waiting for one’s turn are also developed.

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Practical Life

Practical life materials give young children the opportunity to practice real life tasks by imitating experiences they see in their environment. Their strong desire for repetition helps them to develop and improve refinement of the hand, wrist and arm, independence, concentration, hand eye co-ordination, order of sequence, and fine motor skills, while developing life-long skills. (Please click for more photos and information.)

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Practical Life

Practical Life activities are the foundation of the Montessori environment. These activities allow the children to develop control and coordination of movement, awareness of their environment, orderly thought patterns, independent work habits, responsibility, and many other characteristics which can be attained through spontaneous, purposeful work. (Please click for more information and photos.)

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Washing a Plant

The children gently and carefully dust and wipe each leaf, making sure that all the plants are looking their best and are as healthy as can be. Caring for their environment helps children practice being active contributors to their community.

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Planting

The process of planting, caring for, and growing their very own seeds is a great way to encourage children’s love of nature.

(Please click for more photos and details on these planting activities.)

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Gardening

The children took turns digging holes and delicately placing the flowers in. They learned that they had to cover the roots with soil and diligently water them so that the flowers continue to thrive. We have enjoyed watching the flowers bloom and bring colour and life to the playground.

Please click ‘view’ for the full photos and information.

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Planting Seeds

Watching plants grow is a fun and education experience for children. Their enormous curiosity and excitement over anything new makes them a natural for gardening. Growing plant seeds with children teaches them how nature works, responsibility in caring for living things, and interest in environment sustainability and pride in themselves.

Please click ‘view’ for more details and photos.

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