Step Into Practical Life

The First Plane of Development is Infancy; Montessori described Human Infants (0-36 months) as "Unconscious Sensorial Explorers". For this group, she said "Give them the Home." There is a lot developing during this time, we recognize Sensitive Period for Movement, Culture, Visual, Language, Tiny Objects and for Social Interaction. From this we realize that most every toddler will naturally will want to try everything they see the older children or adults doing; especially if it falls into one of the Sensitive Period Areas. And this is how Toddlers can be curious and excited about Anything and Everything! The body wants to move, so we offer freedom, and a variety of Practical Life activities for this eager infant/toddler to begin engaging in life. They are "Helping", which is A Human Tendency, as is Working, which are tools we use while Introducing New Work to the toddler. We use our tools of Knowledge of Human Tendencies towards Helping (spiritual), Solving (mathematical mind). Social (joining in what Mom's doing too). (0-11 ish months) ORDER SENSORIAL EXPERIENCES VOCABULARY( Bath, Diaper, Cold, Wet, Change, Wait, Soap, Washcloth, Water, Warm, hair, feet, legs, arms, etc) SOCIAL EXPERIENCE EATING/EXPLORING SOLID FOODS (11-24) We begin by offering child size damp sponges for wiping up. Child size brooms for sweeping up, extras so Adult or older sibling can join in. Toddlers soon become independent, and practice makes perfect, works here. Sure they are Helping, starting that habit early is important. Also they are practicing Work, they can get the table set, and then cleared. They can wipe off the table after clearing it. Over the months, skills are mastered, and they advance as expected, eager for the next challenge or discovery! (24 - 36) These 2+ yr old toddlers can crack an egg, peel a tangerine, cut slices of fruit to eat with a fork. They can wash dishes, wash tables, water plants, or sweep up a mess! (and they're all in underpants now)