1. Practical Life in the Toddler Environment
Angela Roberts, Toddler Director
Nora Faris, PhD, Associate Head of School
The Montessori School, Chattanooga, TN

2. Purposes for Practical Life
Allow toddlers to develop independence & skills that they can use to function in their classroom and home environments
Lessons should be practical, purposeful, and designed to build focus
Provide toddlers with the opportunity to develop good work habits, understand order, gain a sense of accomplishment

3. Guidelines for Toddler Practical Life
The children choose any lesson that they have been shown
Toddlers can work the lessons as long as they want to
The children need to use the lesson for its intended purpose
Young toddlers may work the lesson where they desire (shelf, floor, rug)

4. Two-Year Curriculum Year A Academic Year B Academic
Planes, Trains, Automobiles
Vegetables
Pets
Care of Self
Children of the World
Beach
Zoo Animals
Specialized Vehicles, Boats
Community Helpers
Clothing/Dress for Seasons
Birds
Farm
Fruit
Bugs
Seasonal Studies
August Back to School
September Tree, Acorn, Apple
October Bats, Owls & Pumpkins
November Thanksgiving
January Snowmen & Snow
February Hearts & Valentine’s
March Clovers & St Pat’s Day
April Bunnies & Spring
May Flowers
June Summer
July America & 4th of July

5. Preliminary Exercises
Object transfer
Removal and Replacement of lids
Pouring
Folding
Carrying a tray

6. Care of Environment Watering plants Sorting (silverware, keys)
Scrubbing animal, vegetables
Sweeping
Dusting

7. Care of Self Dressing frames Wiping nose Brushing hair
Putting shoes on/taking off
Brushing teeth
Washing hands
Changing clothes

8. Grace & Courtesy Lessons
Greetings
Social Conventions
Table Manners
Talking quietly

9. Food Preparation Naming Slicing Peeling Spreading Chopping Juicing
Using napkins
Cleaning up after eating

10. Gross Movement Fold nap blankets Carry baskets Animal Walks
Wider balance beam/railroad tie
Shaking a parachute
Balance bean bag on different parts of the body
Ball blast game

11. Fine Movement Mixing & sorting beans Spooning Tonging Pouring
Finger transfer

12. Resources
For Small Hands Catalog-age appropriate kitchen tools, cleaning tools, etc.)
Plan Toys-natural wood toys for language activities, food prep lessons, general practical life).
Seasonal items (i.e., erasers, large pencil toppers, wooden objects) from places like Target, Walmart, and Hobby Lobby, Oriental Trading, and Michaels.