Allow Ms. Hetal, one of our Primary Lead Teachers, to explain!
The very first time I observed in a Montessori environment, over a decade ago, I was intrigued by a three-year-old who was scrubbing the table using a sponge and showed intense concentration. The student was rinsing the soap every time there was extra lather on it. She was oblivious to what was happening around her - such was the intensity of focus. It was incredible to witness, especially in such a young person.
Dr. Montessori describes in her book - The Montessori Method – that within Practical Life we must use Natural materials. Glass, steel, wood and stoneware in child-sized formats, provide more than just aesthetic pleasure. They are unique in their feel, their weight, and their reaction to the materials harbored inside – turning hot or cold. They provide natural feedback when dropped – from the clanging to the crashing. All adding to the sensorial aspect of the task and assisting in the child’s responses to all of these elements. Not to mention that children don’t want to use imitation materials. They want to mimic you in the real world! They receive great satisfaction and appreciation from that responsibility.
They are also innate perfectionists. Often, they repeat an activity over and over, for the pleasure of the movement and process itself. They are getting used to their ever-growing and changing bodies. They are adapting their movements and perfecting their coordination every step of the way.
Have you noticed how eager and transfixed they become on a task we view as incredibly mundane, like scrubbing a table? Yet there are over 20 steps involved in this activity. From bringing the materials to the table to putting on an apron; from the wringing of the sponge to the filling of the water pitcher; and so many more.
Perhaps the most noteworthy aspect of these activities is that, like a story, they have a beginning, middle and an end. There is organization, order and sequence involved. The laying out of items marks the beginning, the performance of the task is the middle, and the clean-up or the restoring to its original state signals the completion.
Children see adults doing all these tasks in their homes. And they are genuinely fascinated when they are allowed to do these “grown-up” activities within a comfortable and safe environment.
Next time your child’s face lights up in awe of what might seem an ordinary activity, you’ll see that it is, in fact, extraordinary.
Follow me for more observations, as these miraculous Montessori “Aha!” moments continue to amaze and inspire me as much today, as they did more than a decade ago, when my Montessori teaching journey first began.
Curious to know what the 21 steps are in the table scrubbing process? Let us take you through each one that is occupying your child’s focus and attention.
Bring the materials near a table.
Put on apron.
Lay out the materials required in chronological order, left to right - sponge, soap, scrub brush, drying cloth, basin, pitcher and bucket.
Go to the sink and fill the pitcher.
Return to table and pour to fill three quarters of the basin.
Submerge and wet the sponge, squeeze and shake off with downward motion.
Wipe the table - top to bottom, left to right. Moisten sponge, as needed.
Pick up scrub brush and dampen, shake off with the downward motion, then apply soap.
Scrub the table in broad circular motions, using fine careful motions close to the edge to prevent drips on the floor. Reapply soap as needed.
When done, rinse brush and shake off with downward motion.
Dampen and squeeze sponge, wipe off soap suds top to bottom, left to right, rinsing the sponge as needed.
Dry the table with drying cloth. Look for damp spots.
Pour used water into the bucket. Rinse basin, empty again.
To start cleaning up, pour basin into the bucket.
Pour fresh water into the basin to rinse the sponge and brush.
Empty basin into the bucket. Rinse basin again and empty.
Empty pitcher into bucket.
Dry the basin and pitcher with drying cloth.
Empty bucket and dry.
Put damp cloth/towels in hamper, get dry ones.
Restore all materials.