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SPOTLIGHT ON PRACTICAL LIFE

























PRACTICAL LIFE works fulfill a child's fundamental need to be like us- to explore and interact with the environment. How liberating it is for a child to button a shirt or open a jar! These little things we take for granted each day are the pathway to independence. Our classroom is by design as interactive and self sufficient as possible. The sweet students wash the dishes and linens, dust, polish, and otherwise care for our materials. They can practice using everyday tools (spoons, tweezers, tongs) to improve fine motor control and hand eye coordination. They can work independently or in groups. The children care for what they have used but also have the opportunity to benefit the group by doing more- they often ask for more dishes or more laundry because they are so delighted by the work they are accomplishing. I love seeing their eyes light up with new confidence and joy each time they repeat these works!