You may have noticed that I spend a lot of time emphasizing practical life, or daily living, exercises for toddlers and preschoolers. Those are the exercises for control of movement, care of self, care of the environment, and grace and courtesy.
Activities in each of those areas have obvious practical benefits. Even more important are the skills such as order, concentration, coordination, and independence that practical life activities develop.
Focusing on coordination and control of movement is especially important during the preschool years. Young children are in their sensitive period for refinement of movement from ages 2-4.
The Importance of Analysis of Movement in Montessori Education
To help your child during the sensitive period for refinement of movement and to give your child every opportunity for success in an activity, it’s important to analyze the movements, or break the movements down into clear steps, when presenting an activity.
“Every complex action is made up of successive incidents, one quite distinct from the other; one act follows another. Trying to recognize and to execute exactly and separately these successive acts is the analysis of movement.” – Maria Montessori, The Discovery of the Child
Montessori Practical Life Shelves Emphasizing Dry Transfer Activities from To the Lesson! and Trillium Montessori
You can see the importance of breaking down each movement in these practical life shelves from To the Lesson! and Trillium Montessori that show primarily dry transfer activities.
Working with Dry Pouring at 2 Years Old
I have a post with pouring activities that shows just some of the pouring variations available. Showing the exact analysis of movement at age 2 will lead to very refined skills as a child grows and develops.
How to Use Analysis of Movement When Presenting an Activity
When presenting a practical life activity, be sure that your movements are slow and precise and that you use the least number of words possible. Too many words can distract your child from focusing on the movements.
:…the adult must be always calm and act slowly so that all the details of his action may be clear to the child who is watching.” – Maria Montessori, The Secret of Childhood
Association Montessori Internationale defines analysis of movement as:
“A technique used by Montessori teachers. The adult, when showing a complex action to a child, breaks it down into its parts and shows one step at a time, executing each movement slowly and exactly. The action thus becomes a sequence of simple movements and the child has a greater chance of success when ‘given the liberty to make use of them.'” (Montessori, 1966, p. 108)
Notice the detailed steps in presenting a lesson on pouring grains at Info Montessori. And watch how slowly and precisely the teacher presents the simple activity in the video.
“Once a direction is given to them, the child’s movements are made towards a definite end, so that he himself grows quiet and contented, and becomes an active worker, a being calm and full of joy. This education of the movements is one of the principal factors in producing that outward appearance of ‘discipline’ to be found in the ‘Children’s Houses.'” – Maria Montessori, Dr. Montessori’s Own Handbook
It seems almost magical that so much can happen from simple exercises of practical life. But I’ve seen it happen over and over again.
Have you had the chance to experience the beauty of practical life activities with your child or another child?
Learn more about my eBook Montessori at Home or School: How to. Teach Grace and Courtesy!
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Great post! That is why I think I like Montessori so much. I was a flight instructor (in a previous life) and we followed the same concept of teaching in flight instructing. My husband (who has at first on the fence about Montessori) could really relate to it after I explained how the activities are presented (he also flight instructed). He was under the misconception that you just throw the kids in a room and let them be free! It is so good that you are educating everyone on the truths! Kerri
Thanks so much, Kerri! How cool that you and your husband were both flight instructors! The Montessori techniques for presenting lessons really make a difference, don’t they?!
…the adult must be always calm and act slowly so that all the details of his action may be clear to the child who is watching.” – Maria Montessori, The Secret of Childhood
Hello, thanks for this very interesting information, could you be so kind what chapter of the secret of childhood please many thanks
Thanks so much for stopping by my blog and for your interest in Memorize Mondays!! I hope you’ll be back. I don’t know much about Montessori….looks like I could learn A LOT here on your blog!! I’ll have to stop back!
Blessings!
Thanks for visiting and commenting, Linda! There really are lots of ways Montessori can be applied for any age group. I’ll hope you’ll visit again!
Gosh, every time I visit here I have such wonderful reminders of when my kids were in Montessori. I remember all this so well.
Thanks, Sheila! I always love thinking about my kids’ Montessori experiences, too. And there were a lot of benefits to being a Montessori teacher as well. Often, presenting lessons using Montessori methods felt like a moving meditation.
JDaniel loves doing the practical everyday things. He could transfer water for hours.
Stopping from Mom Loop! I hope you will stop by and visit me too.
Isn’t it amazing how young children know exactly what they need?! Thanks so much for visiting and commenting!
Visiting from Mom Loop. Loving your blog. Thanks for the great ideas!
Thanks so much for visiting and for your kind comment, Kate!
I think I often take these very simple tasks for granted, thus turning them into teachable moments just doesn’t always pass through my mind. I love the grain pouring lesson and can imagine the amount of pride a young toddler might acquire just by successfully completing such a task.
I do have two young children and involve them daily in the cooking of our dinner. Your post, however, has really opened my eyes up to other ways they can “help” and begin practicing on their own.
Thanks so much, Brynn! It’s great that your children are involved in the daily cooking! Here are links to lots of other posts with practical life activities: https://livingmontessorinow.com/category/activities-practical-life/ Have fun!
Practical life excersises have been a real lifesaver for me! I homeschool 4 and its beautiful when you see it pay off – my 4 yr old spilt some pencil shavings last week and without any prompting went and got the dustpan to sweep it up 🙂
Guess all the sweeping glitter lessons paid off.
Thanks for your comment, Zelda! I love your story – it’s wonderful to hear about the benefits of practical life lessons in action! Well done at giving your children some amazing training!