“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.” Maria Montessori
Practical life is one of the most important areas of Montessori education. Because the child’s independence is such an important goal in Montessori, care of self is an especially important part of practical life.
Regardless of your circumstances, care of self is an area you can easily emphasize at home. For an overview of Montessori practical life activities in general, see this post: Montessori Practical Life Activities.
Thanks to Montessori activities for care of self, I don’t remember having any problems with my kids’ personal care. Following are some great Montessori-inspired care-of-self activities from around the blogosphere:
Montessori-Inspired Activities for Care of Self
How to Help Your Preschooler Help Himself (or Herself) (my post, which includes a lesson on nose blowing)
Nose Wiping Station (Photo from How We Montessori)
Nose Wiping Station from How We Montessori
You’ll find another idea for a nose-wiping station (with free printable) here: Helping Hands Practical Life Activities + Free Printable from Montessori By Mom.
Montessori-Inspired Tray for Tooth Brushing (Photo from Jada Roo Can Do)
Activity of the Week – Montessori-Inspired Trays for Care of Self
Dressing Basket (Photo from Counting Coconuts)
DIY Dressing Frames and Alternatives (Including Activity of the Week – Dressing Basket ~ Photo from Counting Coconuts)
Fun Shoe and Coat Tricks for Toddler and Preschooler Independence (includes helpful video and poem)
Activity of the Week – Teach Your Preschooler to Put on and Put Away a Coat
Putting on a Coat (with Extensions) from Our Natural Journey
Tips for Teaching a Child Dressing Skills from Your Therapy Source
Care of Self Activity (Photo from Montessori ici)
A Morning at the Salon or a Care of Self Activity from Montessori ici
Care of Self – The Montessori Way from Montessori ici
25 Life Skills to Teach at an Early Age (includes a number of care-of-self skills) from In Lieu of Preschool
Montessori-Inspired Food Preparation for Preschoolers (my roundup post)
Care of the Person presentations from Montessori Primary Guide
Care of Person presentations from Montessori Commons
Home Environments That Encourage Independence and Care of Self
How to Prepare a Montessori Toddler Environment at Home (my roundup post with links to lots of Montessori-friendly environments that encourage independence and care of self)
How to Set Up a Montessori Space at Home (my post with ideas for helping your child work independently)
Follow Deb @ Living Montessori Now’s board Montessori-Friendly Home on Pinterest.
Montessori-Friendly Home Pinterest Board
Have you set up any special activities or areas for care of self in your home?
Learn more about my eBook Montessori at Home or School: How to. Teach Grace and Courtesy!
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Hmm, these links (great ones, by the way!) are really making me think about how I might incorporate more independent self-care into our routines. Mikko’s taking some tasks over on his own initiative, but I admit I get kind of lazy and find it’s easier for me to just keep on doing most things for him rather than set up ways for him to learn to do things himself. I need to examine this a bit more, and I’m going to use your links to help — thank you!
Thanks so much, Lauren! It’s awesome that there’s so much online inspiration now … and many of the activities are amazingly easy to prepare! 🙂
Thanks for another great roundup of resources, Deb. I’m honored to see my post up there, too 🙂 These types of activities really do help take the struggle out of personal care!
Thanks, Melissa! I love your home environment and activities … it’s great that you so naturally incorporate self-care skills into your home life. 🙂
Great post! I am inspired by the tooth-brushing station. I’m thinking about a new way to educate my toddler on caring for her teeth. I always thought my older daughter was picking up on how to brush her teeth when I talked her through me doing it, but she told me after a trip to the dentist, that she’d been doing it wrong, so this might be a good starting place for the youngest.
Thanks, Liam! Tooth brushing does take a lot of work to get the technique right. The younger they can start gaining the coordination and skills the better! 🙂
We have been so much happier since moving Kieran’s closet rod down to his level and putting a chair/stool next to bathroom sinks. He is more willing to help and so able 🙂 Great round-up, thank you!
Thanks, Dionna! Those are great adaptations … easy to do, but they make a huge difference! 🙂
This post is perfect timing, as I’m looking for ways to incorporate Montessori activities in our day. I recognize the value in encouraging independence; the look of pride on my daughter’s face is enough to help me make the transition. I am particularly inspired by the Montessori closets. As it stands, I still pick out my daughter’s clothes, but I know if I made the process easier she could do it herself.
Thanks, Justine! I’m so glad the timing is right! Montessori closets are definitely worth the initial work it takes to set them up. 🙂
Great post! My daughter is three months into Montessori nursery and I try and apply the theory at home. She is 2 and I love seeing how good she feels about herself when she does things for herself.
I think I’m going to set up a nose wiping station as per your suggestions, that would be one leap forward that we haven’t yet made!!!
Thanks so much! It’s great that you extend your daughter’s school experiences at home … I’m glad you found an activity that will work well in your home! 🙂
What great pictures and resources! We have a tray in each bathroom and closets set up for independent dressing, it’s awesome, the kids do so well. We are traveling a the moment and even at our destination the clothes are separated into corners so the kids have their things in reach and can stay independent! Lovely post, as always!
Thanks, Mudpiemama! I love what you’re doing to encourage your kids’ independence! 🙂
Thanks for all the great ideas! We have been working on independent self care as well, but I think getting organized will be very helpful. A lot of stuff is up higher than they can reach right now, so that’s something I can work on.
Thanks for your kind comment, Chrystal! It’s so true that there’s a lot you can do simply by organizing your home for independence. 🙂
I love your site and have found so many useful things on it. Our little one learned to put her coat on by herself IMMEDIATELY using the techniques in those links. And, she was so proud 🙂 She transferred the knowledge to put on zippered sweatshirts as well. We recently hung a low rung in her closet for her shirts (prior they were in a dresser; she has always dressed herself), but she LOVES seeing them all hanging. I will have to check out the resources for putting things ON to hangers and untangling pants and shirts.
Thanks so much for your kind words, Kim! That’s so great … I LOVE to hear about Montessori techniques being used successfully at home! 🙂
This is an incredible list of resources, Deb—thank you so much! I have a lot of reading to do…and I’m excited to incorporate more of these ideas into our living space and routines.
Thanks so much, Amy! There are a lot of resources here … have fun! 🙂
Having specific ‘stations’ for these activities is brilliant. I know my little one will love this, she always puts pegs pack into the peg bucket, or fruit into the fruit basket etc. Thanks for providing this useful information!
Thanks, Ursula! Specific stations can definitely help! 🙂
Thanks for including me in your care of self amazing blog post! I will link to your post in my blog, Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest!
It’s my pleasure to include your wonderful post, Lisa! Thanks so much for sharing my post! 🙂
Awesome post Deb! Thanks! Best wishes Sillysparkles!