Today I thought it would be fun to share some of our favourite practical life activities. I know these are all really obvious activities, but sometimes we forget how much toddlers love helping and how important it is for their development.
On weekdays after we drop my older son off at school, Otis and I come home and do our household chores. Often Otis will help me with whatever it is that I’m doing, and sometimes he will just wander off and do his own thing. Today Otis starts with some watering. He also dusts and cleans the plant leaves. Later he empties a small load of washing and helps to hang it on the small clothesline. He prepares his own fruit snack with the melon ball scoop and we finish the morning sweeping leaves outside.
Practical life activities like this are easy in that they require very little preparation, but the most difficult part is working to the child’s interests and capabilities. It is important that we allow the child to observe us at work and allow them to work along side us in collaboration. This isn’t always easy especially when we are rushed and busy. Keep in mind the child’s work must be genuine by providing them with the correct tools and opportunity.
It’s nice to see a toddler concentrating and behaving in a calm and controlled manner. Practical life activities such as watering, carrying a clothes basket and sweeping are very physical. Maria Montessori believed toddlers are in a period for maximum effort so they look for physical work such are carrying and lifting. Most of all, through practical life activities the child is actively participating in family life, and they are learning to care for themselves and their environment.
Some other practical life (Care of the Environment) activities suitable for toddlers in the home include:
- setting the table
- folding laundry
- wiping the table
- dusting
- mopping/cleaning floors
- washing windows
- washing and wiping dishes
- taking out the garbage/emptying wastepaper baskets
- helping to wash the car
- washing or feeding pets
- cutting and arranging flowers
- gardening
Sources; watering can, bird and leaf apron, small laundry basket (Australia) or similar, similar clothesline stand, melon ball scoop and tiny broom.
Do you have your toddler help you in any practical life activities?
coffee bean / 29 posts
My toddler is only 13 months right now – sort of in that limbo phase between baby and toddler where it’s hard to find activities that suit his age group. I have definitely noticed the need to want to lift and carry, though! He likes to carry my giant liter-sized shampoo bottle throughout the house. Although, to give him credit, when he noticed me taking clothes out of the dryer and putting them in a basket, he actually started helping. I was amazed! Now I have him stand next to me when I cook and he can play with and shake the (closed) spice containers and wooden spoons.
guest
Great list! I think we should get a plant so she an water it!
blogger / apricot / 424 posts
I know I say this every post but thank you so much for writing these posts. It is such a good reminder of what we can do with our little ones and what they can do!
nectarine / 2217 posts
great post!
bananas / 9227 posts
DD isn’t walking yet, but I look forward to the day we can buy her a mini wheelbarrow and her own gardening and broom kits!
pomegranate / 3388 posts
Thanks for this post! My daughter just turned one, and I have noticed recently that she really enjoys “helping” me with laundry. She pulls the clothes out of the clean laundry basket one at a time and hands them to me to fold. As her abilities improve, I can see adding her into many of my household chores… although you’re right that it takes much longer when a child is involved!