If you are wondering whether Montessori practical life activities and Montessori chores are the same, you are probably mistaken.
Montessori practical life activities such as pouring, spooning, buttoning, tying shoelaces, using tweezers, etc. help children develop independence, fine motor skills, coordination, and concentration.
On the other hand, Montessori chores are real household tasks assigned to children as they grow. These chores include setting the table, folding laundry, dusting, sweeping, watering plants, feeding pets, and many more.
Although Montessori practical life activities and Montessori chores sound similar, they are different in many respects.
You all know that I nurture my 7-year-old son and 5-year-old daughter following the principles of Dr.Maria Montessori. Moreover, I have a decade of teaching experience (16+ years) in a non-government Montessori School.
Therefore, I can share my experience how age-specific Montessori chores, chore charts, and chore lists help children contribute to family duties rather than just building isolated skills.
Montessori Chores List:
Research has shown that toddlers love to imitate adults. They see us doing everyday tasks and try to help us.
When my children were around two years old, I encouraged them to help with household chores. At first, it may seem unusual, but this is an ideal time to introduce Montessori chores, which later support practical life activities.
Moreover, they enjoyed feeling like a part of the family and being able to contribute.
Although I have occasionally assigned chores to my children informally, I have prepared a comprehensive chore list for parents, educators, and general readers.
- Washing Hands:I have found that many children start school without learning how to wash their hands. Hence, I found it necessary to teach my children the fundamental skill of washing and drying their hands.
As I found it quite tricky to use a sink for my children at first, I started with a bowl of water.
Materials I Needed
- A large plastic bowl
- A tray
- A pitcher, filled with mild warm water
- Soap
Back then, they were too young to remember independently, so I explained the importance of washing hands after using the toilet, before and after meals, and before cooking.
- Cleaning Teeth: Cleaning teeth may seem very simple to an adult. On the contrary, children experience a sense of accomplishment and self-worth when they can carry out these activities independently.
Materials I Needed
Toothbrushes, toothpaste, a mirror, bowl, cups, towels, a tray, and a pitcher of water.
How I Demonstrated:
- I applied a small amount of toothpaste ( pea-sized) to their brushes.
- Then I demonstrated how to brush slowly while using a mirror
- Next, I told them how to rinse their mouths, clean the toothbrush, and wipe their mouths.
- Finally, I provided them with their materials maintaining the set up for consistency.
- Brushing Hair: Brushing hair is a fascinating chore for children. It brings a sense of pride in their appearance.
Materials I Needed
- Face mirror or a standing mirror
- 3 hair brushes (one for me and 2 for my children)
- I placed the mirror on the table and demonstrated brushing my hair while they observed.
- I brushed my hair gently using slow strokes simultaneously explaining to them the process while looking in the mirror.
- Finally, I adjusted the mirror for them, set the brush in front, and encouraged them to try.
- Folding Clothes:
I started this chore with my children by folding handkerchiefs before moving on to clothes. I preferred clothes like shirts, and sweaters because there were seams as folding guides.
I explained the importance of cloth folding and showed them the place where they would keep those folded clothes.
Materials I Needed:
- Old handkerchiefs
- Red felt pen
- Ruler
- Child’s clothes
- Large basket
How I Demonstrated:
- I marked old handkerchiefs with a ruler and pen and then created vertical and horizontal lines. Next, I placed it in a basket with other clothes.
- After that, I took the handkerchief, laid it flat, and folded it along the lines.
- Next, I opened it and let them try.
- Finally, I moved to folding clothes. I tried to do it consistently so that they could copy the method.
- Putting On A Coat:
- Putting on a coat independently was simple and fun for my children
- I Laid the coat on the floor with the inside facing up. Then I told one of my children to stand facing the coat’s neck.
- Then I asked my daughter to squat and slide her arms into the sleeves.
- As she stood up, I encouraged her to swing her arms over her head, allowing the coat to settle into place.
- Buttoning A Shirt:
Materials I Needed
A Buttoning Frame
- I have broken down this chore into easy stages to help my children understand each step. I bought a buttoning frame and laid it flat on a table.
- Then I showed them the process and encouraged them to practice.
- Putting On Shoes:
I found that my children were struggling to put on shoes. Hence, I bought them Velcro shoes before moving to laces. At first, I started by letting them practice without wearing them.
Learning Left and Right Shoes:
- Hold Velcro shoes by the straps, ensuring they touch back-to-back. I held Velcro shoes by the straps, ensuring that they should touch back-to-back.
- I marked R and L inside rubber the boots.
- I started to use laced shoes once I ensured that my children were confident with right and left recognition.
- Learning To Pour:
Materials I Needed:
- 2 plastic pitchers
- Dried beans or lentils
- Tray
Pouring is a simple yet essential skill. Hence I taught my children how to pour things from one container to another. They first what I was doing and then started to participate in the chore.
- Learning To Transfer
Materials I Needed:
- Two small shallow bowls
- A teaspoon
- A small tray
- Rice (to half-fill one bowl)
Transferring things like rice or similar kind of materials from one container helps develop muscular coordination essential for eating, serving food, and cooking.
10.Setting The table :
Materials I Needed:
- Small plate
- Large sheet of thick paper
- Pencil and black felt pen
- Table knife, fork, and dessert spoon
- Tray
I encouraged my children to help me set the table. I used to place the place on the paper and trace around it with a pencil. I repeated it for the cutlery creating an outlined place setting. I also used a felt pen to highlight the outlines for clarity.
- Learning To Use Cloth Pegs:
Materials I Needed:
A small basket filled with clothespins.
Besides the Montessori chores that I mentioned above, there are several similar chores you can try with your child. I have written down some of them.
12 . Watering Plants
- Wiping Tables
- Sweeping The Floor
- Washing Vegetables
- Feeding Pets
- Organizing Books Or Toys
- Dusting Shelves
- Helping With Laundry (sorting, putting away clothes)
Montessori Chore Chart By Age :
| Age Group | Chores |
| From Birth | Baby massage |
| Planning a first bedroom | |
| Baby sensory exercises | |
| Memory box | |
| From 6 Months | Basket of treasures |
| Reading aloud | |
| Keep talking | |
| Peekaboo | |
| Hide a toy | |
| Action rhymes | |
| From 12 Months | Planning a toddler bedroom |
| Walking in the forest | |
| Ways to introduce new vocabulary | |
| From 18 Months | Stacking blocks |
| Playing with lima beans | |
| Listening to music | |
| Toileting | |
| Getting dressed | |
| Exploring outdoors | |
| From Age Two | Sorting objects |
| Shape stackers | |
| Simple puzzles | |
| The silence game | |
| Herb scents | |
| Cleaning up | |
| Bathroom skills | |
| Button frame | |
| Putting on a coat | |
| Exploring nature | |
| Gardening | |
| Pet care | |
| Birthday celebration | |
| Words for objects | |
| Descriptive words | |
| Command game | |
| From Age Three | Cylinder blocks |
| Sorting objects | |
| The Pink Tower | |
| Matching paint swatches | |
| Concentration Game | |
| Matching bells | |
| Sound cylinders | |
| Texture matching | |
| Sandpaper tablets | |
| Fabric matching | |
| Mystery bag | |
| Perfume bottles | |
| Herb scents | |
| Tasting bottles | |
| Setting the table | |
| Sweeping up | |
| Polishing shoes | |
| Pouring with pitchers | |
| Preparing a snack | |
| Family meetings | |
| Exercises in grace and courtesy | |
| Make a nature museum | |
| Enriching vocabulary | |
| Three-stage lesson | |
| Counting | |
| Sprouting seeds | |
| Grow a sock | |
| Sink or float | |
| Pouring air | |
| Problem-solving activities | |
| From Age Four | Tying bows |
| The peace table | |
| Digital devices | |
| Nature party games | |
| Explore a new culture | |
| Tell a story | |
| Questions and feelings | |
| Sandpaper letters | |
| Tracing letters in sand | |
| Chalkboard writing | |
| Letters and objects | |
| Movable alphabet | |
| The verb game | |
| Number rods | |
| Counting baskets | |
| Simple sums | |
| Playing with magnets | |
| Living or nonliving objects | |
| Making sailboats | |
| Exploring roots |
Sumanta De is an educator. He has been teaching students for more than 16 years following the principles of Dr.Maria Montessori. He has a 7-year-old son and a 5-year-old daughter.
He is nurturing his children abiding by the principles of Dr.Maria Montessori. His passion for Montessori methods goes beyond the classroom.
Hence, he shares his experiences and insights through a dedicated Montessori blog and a YouTube channel under the name “NewChild Montessori”. He aims to offer valuable guidance to both parents and educators.
Education: M.A. English, Masters in Child Psychology & Bachelor’s Degree in Montessori Teachers Training