Practical Life is the activities that assist students in developing purposeful life skills for their continued growth and development. This includes refining fine motor and movement skills as well as practicing coordination, planning and problem solving.
Practical life activities are designed around real-life experience that a child will encounter. Each practical life activity is made real, breakable materials (ceramic, glass, etc) to teach the students to manage their items in a controlled environment.
Practical Life teaches students about gaining independence and contributing positively to their society. Practical Life provides opportunity for students to practice skills required to gain control of movement and independence.
In the practical life section of the classroom activities will be categorised into:
Preliminary exercises: such as carrying and rolling a mat, carrying a tray or a jug, opening bottles and jars, spooning and pouring.
Care of the person: Usually includes flower arranging, sweeping, mopping, dusting, setting a table and washing dishes.
Grace and Courtesy: includes social etiquette such as introductions, greetings, requests, interruptions, offering help, respecting space of others, turn taking, and offering thanks. It also includes principles of hygiene including: sneezing, yawning and coughing.
Control of movement: Walking on a straight line is a fun activity the students can engage with that practices forethought in steps to control the body’s movement. This activity can be extended to incorporate a child using heel to toe movement, carrying an object, a glass, or balancing a book on their head!