“But in our specially prepared environments we see them all at once fix themselves upon some task, and then their excited fantasies and their restless movements disappear altogether; a calm, serene child, attached to reality, begins to work out his elevation through work. Normalisation has been achieved.” ~ Maria Montessori, The Secret of Childhood
Children love to discover a ‘practical life’ shelf that has been prepared for them in a kitchen. A home environment that serves the child is critical for their optimal development and independence. My work with children in our home has confirmed its importance. Especially in the kitchen, a practical life shelf can offer tremendous learning—and is always well-received!
The Prepared Kitchen Shelf
Based on the individual child’s abilities, I offer child-size utensils, glasses, dishes, cloths for spills, snack choices, and work and drinking water. Additionally, I prepare a few intentional practical life activities to support the development of their newest skills.
These activities generally focus on the many steps involved in cooking, baking, and/or preparing their own snacks and meals. As examples, age-appropriate and safe tools offer opportunities to measure, pour and transfer liquids and solids; break and crush eggs; chopping and cutting; taste and smell new foods; etc. Table setting and clean up skill building opportunities are offered (and encouraged) too.
Kitchen spaces prepared for the child are an invitation to participate in daily practical life activities. As activities, they build self-esteem and confidence. This invitation signals to the child, “I value and trust you” and “you are capable.”
Guide Rather Than Serve
Regardless of the age or stage of development, the environment has as great an impact on the child as the adult guiding them. The child’s innate need to learn should be assisted by the adult, not extinguished by serving them.
Dr. Montessori’s lasting message is clear, “These words reveal the child’s inner needs: ‘Help me to do it alone'”.