Tips for Montessori Education at Home Part 2- Life Learning Activities

Life Learning activities are used to teach a child to function and cope in his or her own environment. It is here the child learns the basis of house cleaning, cooking, getting dressed, and personal maintenance. The child must master and understand the home environment before he or she can venture onwards towards learning how things work outside the home.

This type of education starts as you allow the child to observe you in your household duties. Let your child watch and participate wherever possible when you clean, cook, iron, do laundry, yard work, take out the garbage, everything. In the last article I suggested you buy child sized cleaning supplies such as a little broom, dustpan, vacuum, etc... Let the child use these items and clean along with you. It may take you a little longer to get your house work done when you have a child tagging along participating, but the educational value you are providing is worth the extra time and effort.

When your child understands the basis of cleaning and how to complete simple tasks, give them chores. Assign certain jobs to be done by that child and only by that child every day. Give him or her responsibility at a young age and they will rise up to the occasion. The chore doesn't have to be too hard to start with, maybe something as simple as always keeping toys picked up. In a Montessori education it is important that you have the child complete the chore because it is his or her responsibility, not because you will be giving a reward.

Activities You Can Do

1. Opening and Closing Drawers (Ages 2 1/2 - 4 years)

Have the child learn and practice opening and closing the drawers in a dresser in a quiet and orderly manner. You can have him or her practice until they can open and close a drawer without making any noise. This will give them a sense of accomplishment.

2. Buttoning and Unbuttoning a Shirt (Ages 3- 5 years)

Have the child practice buttoning and unbuttoning a shirt. This will teach your child self-reliance, self-control, patience and coordination.

3. Pouring Rice (Ages 2 1/2 - 5 years)