In a Montessori classroom their is a section called “Practical life.” In the 3-6 year group there are a variety of activities like transferring beads using tongs, sucking up water from one bowl with a sponge and squeezing it out into another bowl, and throwing beans on the floor and then sweeping them up. Each activity works on some part of development, like hand strength, or tactile development.

One of the activities is a bowl of water, some dish washing liquid and a beater. Make bubbles….awesome. We went to visit Newberry Montessori today (we’re looking for a primary school for Grace), and while we were chatting to the principal Grace was cruising around the class and exploring their equipment (which is pretty much the same across all Montessori classes). Just before we left she really wanted to do the water/beater activity, so we set her up when we got home. It turns out that provided a whole bunch of entertainment for the afternoon, for both her and Eli.

Making bubbles, having fun, and working arm muscles