I love showing these first lessons to the 3-year-olds
at the beginning of the school year.
They work so earnestly to control their movements...
their tiny fingers strain as they twist open lids,
their dear little mouths hang open in concentration,
and their whole beings radiate with pride
as they successfully complete tasks
all by themselves.
top shelf: sorting, opening bottles, fragile objects
middle shelf: spooning, tonging
bottom shelf: nut and bolt, hammering
top shelf: pushing pipe cleaners, dry pouring, droppering
middle shelf: sponge squeezing, basting
bottom shelf: pouring water into a glass, pouring water different levels
These lessons also indirectly prepare the children for academics.
When a child holds a spoon between her first two fingers and thumb,
she prepares herself for writing.
When a child sweeps bread crumbs off a table
from left to right, top to bottom,
he prepares himself for reading.
When a child mixes up a basin of sudsy water,
she experiences the importance of sequencing.
top shelf: mirror washing, color mixing
middle shelf: bread grating
bottom shelf: lizard scrubbing
The children are able to care for themselves
and for their immediate environment.
They're developing social responsibility,
they're becoming independent...
top shelf: soap grating
middle shelf: plant polishing
bottom shelf: handwashing
Of course, the exercises of practical life go beyond these shelves.
They also include grace and courtesy...
which the children have a great sensitivity for.
"please"
"thank you"
"excuse me"
We can teach them grace and courtesy for different situations
through modeling and role play,
as opposed to prompting or criticizing.
not pictured: sweeping, dusting, dressing frames, picking up litter, snow shoveling, setting the table for lunch, using kind words, listening for silence, eating a snack, holding a book, interrupting a teacher, helping a friend, putting on a jacket, opening a door, saying hello, taking turns, feeding the bunnies, walking around rugs...
LIFE!
