COURSE MODULE – 2

ROLL NO – D-16591

ASSIGNMENT MRS.WARDA AHMED

EXERCISES OF PRACTICAL LIFE (EPL)

 2
WARDA AHMED|D-16591

Question no 1: Write a comprehensive note on the importance of practical

life exercises?
Practical life exercise refers to those tasks and activities that take place in the daily life
of a person. Teaching kids these exercises in an interactive manner allow the child to
develop into fully functional members of the society. These exercises provide kids to
perform every other activity at montessori , fulfilling the child’s plea , “Help me do it
myself.”

Therefore these are important in several ways as mentioned below:

1. One of the biggest advantages of EPL is to make a child independent by

learning to perform tasks without the constant reliance on adults. Usually
things are done for them rather than helping them to do things themsleves.
During this time the child develops the habit of being dependent which are hard
to undo in life later. Making a child independent allows them to grow and do
everdayday things not only for themselves but for others as well but also do it
happily. It is however important to give them support and help as and when
needed in a polite way to maintain their sense of self-esteem.

2. Children derive great sense of love and happiness from doing things they see
others around them doing, especially adults. EPL gives children a sense of
understanding about environment around them and how it works. When such
habits are developed , children become helpful for all and such habits are
passed on creating a snowballing effect. Conversely, if the children were
unable to fulfill their desire to perform these acts, it could result in aggressive
rebellious behavior out of frustration. In extreme cases, they may even develop
personality disorders due to suppression and rejection in this sensitive period of
time. Thus, such development is important for them to develop a better
personality.

3. EPL helps in making children learn to make their life organized and tidier. In
Montessori we follow the principle “There is a place for everything and
everything has a place.” By ignoring this simple principle, we let the
environment and lives to complicate.

4. Such exercises also help children to develop improved motor skills, hand to eye
coordination as well as muscle strength. Learning to perform these activities in
 2
WARDA AHMED|D-16591

life as a part of grace and courtesy ensures more control on himself and his
movements rather than being clumsy in their actions.

5. A child goes through some sensitive periods which urges him to learn things
necessary for his development. If these urges are suppressed by environment
and adults, a child gets deviated from his development. EPL also starts at the
very early age and allows them to perform simple tasks which also brings them
joy. We have seen how much happy a child seems to do everyday tasks like
washing, cleaning, setting up dinner tables etc. Fulfillment of such urges leads
the child to normality which is the spiritual goal of EPL.

6. EPL include personal care, environment care, and grace and courtesy exercises,
which effectively cover most areas of personal life as well as the world around
us. These are all necessary for a child developing an understanding and love for
the universe and all life forms within it.

In summary, exercises of practical life help a child become independent, self-

sufficient and prepared to not only face the world but also contribute to it as
productive members of the community.

Question no 2: Explain different groups of exercises of practical life. How

do you think this grouping is helpful?

Practical life exercises are categorized in four groups as stated below:

 Elementary exercises
 Exercises of Personal Care
 Grace and Courtesy Exercises
 Care of Environment Exercises

Elementary exercises are further divided into three sub categories:

 Basic Elementary exercises

 Elementary exercises
 Higher Elementary exercises

Basic Elementary exercises include very simple tasks like holding and placing objects
for e.g. jug, glass etc.
 2
WARDA AHMED|D-16591

Elementary exercises involve slightly more complex tasks than the former like folding
things, pouring ingredients etc.

Higher Elementary exercises takes things a step further by including harder or more
time-consuming tasks like using droppers, cutting along the line etc.

In Exercises of Personal Care, the child learns about the care and maintenance that
helps everyday life. These activities are, for e.g. the care of the person (i.e. the
washing of the hand).

In the Grace and Courtesy Exercises, the children work on people to people
interaction as well as how to refine their coordination in activities such as walking
around a mat or on the line
 2
WARDA AHMED|D-16591

In Exercises of Environment Care, children learn to look after the outdoor and indoor
environment. They learn to look after, how to clean and maintain indoors and
outdoors for e.g. washing dishes, dusting tables, watering the plants and picking up
dry leaves etc.

This grouping is beneficial because it helps ensure that all areas of everyday life are
covered from the self to the environment. They may also be useful in assessing the
specific needs of a child in terms of which area they struggle most in and need extra
assistance with. Alternatively, it may help identify what they excel at and enjoy doing
the most. Their temperament and interest can be determined to further develop
activities in line with the assessment of the child, consequently, help groom well-
balanced individuals capable of attempting a wide range of tasks.
 2
WARDA AHMED|D-16591

Question no 3: What are the essential points that we should keep in mind
while presenting EPL?
Children are naturally drawn to the activities of daily life as they see their adults
performing them. So, it is a teacher’s duty to design and demonstrate the right way to
do these exercises in a way that it allows the child to observe properly, be able to
absorb and perform what they have witnessed and learnt.

EPL can be either through direct and indirect presentation. Direct presentations are
where the activity is introduced to the child and explanation of movement is necessary
to help the child understand the necessary movements and their sequence. Indirect
presentations, on the other hand, are where a child watches a teacher present an
activity or task and learns through observation without the teacher being aware of it.
This can often be more important than direct presentation, as it is almost a source of
continual learning.

To ensure effective EPL, several boxes need to be checked:

1. Choosing activities: Firstly, the use of appropriate material is very important

for any activity being performed. They should not only be of the right size but
of good quality and simple to handle as well. All the items should be non-toxic
and kept clean and washed regularly. A teacher should demonstrate the activity
of how the items should be selected and how to be placed back in an orderly
way. The activity should be performed in a realistic manner like a child sees it
getting done at home.
2. Setting up: In EPL all the material should be easily accessible to the children
and must be located near sink, as most activities require water and also easier
to clean up later. EPL should allow children to experience different furniture
surfaces and textures of wide range of fabrics. So, the children get acquainted
to the names of different of fabrics, surfaces as well as use them and maintain
them. Children should be taught to how to properly use sink.
 2
WARDA AHMED|D-16591

3. Presenting activities guidelines: EPL should be taught to a child as soon as he

is admitted but stepwise and accuracy. For all practical life activities, a teacher
and child should both wear aprons and roll their sleeves up. A demonstration of
the activity should be done in a happy manner. The children is guided, act and
imitate all the work. They should also be instructed and encouraged be to clean
up after themselves and to not make a mess by setting up examples in a relaxed
and gentle way. There is no right or wrong way to present. Some ways are
simply better and more efficient, for example keeping the lessons short and
simple and relaying them in a relaxed and gentle manner, etc. If required, a
child may be demonstrated again from time to time.
4. Evaluation: A Montessori teacher should actively observe children while
performing activities and take notes time to time. Such observations help in
analyzing if the activities or the environment needs to be modified as well as
what intrigues children the most versus what they struggle with. Even if a child
is making mistakes, they should not be interrupted mid-activity; instead, repeat
lessons should be conducted accordingly at a later point in time. During the
course of the activities, all kids should be appreciated and encouraged
consistently to keep their interest and motivation high.

Question no 4: Try to explain “Formal setting of a Table” and “Making a

Chicken Spread Sandwich” in the same way EPL have been explained in
this book for you.
MAKING A CHICKEN SPREAD SANDWICH

Material:
 2
WARDA AHMED|D-16591

- Plate

- Butter knife (preferably plastic)

- 2 Slices of bread

- Chicken spread

Presentation:

1. Open the chicken spread bottle.

2. Pick up the butter knife and dip it in the chicken spread bottle to scoop out
appropriate amount.

3. Gently spread it out onto the slices of bread one at a time.

4. Place the slices on top of each other with the chicken spread sides facing each other.
5. Place the Chicken Spread Sandwich onto the plate.

SETTING A FORMAL TABLE

Material:

- Dinner plate

- Tablespoon, fork, and knife

- Glass

- Napkin

- Placemat
 2
WARDA AHMED|D-16591

- A tray (to place all the materials in before setting them out on the table)

Presentation:

1. Gather students around a table.

2. Flatten out the placemat onto the table.

3. Show the child how to roll the napkin tightly.

4. Place the rolled napkin to the far-left side of the mat.

5. Pick up the plate and carefully place it at the bottom of the mat, near the napkin.

6. Bring the knife over to the mat and place the knife’s tip to the right of the plate and
set it carefully down onto the table.

7. Pick up the spoon and fork in the same way and place them with their mouth facing
downwards to the right of the knife.

8. Place the glass (for water) at the top right side of the dinner plate.

9. Stand back to allow the child to take in the set table.

Question no 5: Write (just the) names of as many EPL as possible (that you
think a child can do) and which are not mentioned in this book.

● Paying for small items at shops

● Answering a phone call

● Making a phone call in case of emergency

 2
WARDA AHMED|D-16591

● Throwing away trash

● Opening packets/packages

● Putting things in a bag

● Putting on socks/shoes

● Drying body with a towel

● Reading the time on a clock/watch

● Making the bed

● Drawing the curtains

● Opening/closing a window

● Wearing a car seat belt

● Locking the car door