The children are not only taught academic subjects in Montessori education, but they are also trained to become independent people, capable and confident individuals. EPL activities in Montessori (Exercises of Practical Life) are one of the major ingredients of this method. These lessons assist the children in getting the necessary life skills with meaningful hands-on developmentally suited experiences.
However, it can be water pouring activities, tying laces or making a table setting; every activity promotes the growing independence and focus in a child.
Keep reading to know what EPL mean in the context of a Montessori school; what is the role of EPL in terms of benefits? We will also get some knowledge on the samples of activities by age, and how you can establish these activities in your home or classroom.
What are EPL Within Montessori?
EPL is short for Exercises of Practical Life, and it is an essential piece of the Montessori curriculum, teaching children to do things around daily life in a practical but well methodical manner. The activities reflect the ones present in real life and are divided into four broad sections:
- Self Care (e.g. dressing, personal hygiene)
- Environmental Care (i.e. Cleaning, Watering plants)
- Grace and Courtesy (e.g. please and thank you)
- Movement Control (e.g. walking slowly, pouring)
The founder of the Montessori teaching method, Dr. Maria Montessori, believed that children learn better when they are engaged in activities. EPL offers them time and means to train and perfect what adults may consider simple by gaining skills and self-esteem.
Significance of EPL in Early Childhood Education
Practical Life exercises are way more than chores; they form the basis of what the kid becomes. The children in EPL activities are taught to:
- Fine motor skills
- Train them to be self-sufficient and responsible
- Enhance concentration and pay attention to detail
- Be confident of their abilities
- Learn to be social and to solve problems
These advantages extend outside Montessori classroom and into everyday life so as to produce thoughtful responsible individuals.
List Of EPL Activities in Montessori
The following is a list of EPL activities in Montessori with specifications by area and age applicability:
- Self Care
- Hair brushing
- Hand washing
- Shirting buttoning
- Zipping jackets
- Shoelaces
- Shoes polishing
- Environmental Care
- Cleaning the floor
- Watering plants
- Cleaning shelves by dusting
- Dishwashing
- Folding Napkins or clothes
- Table setting
- Grace and Courtesy
- Greeting people
- Sitting in line
- Apologizing with the words “please” and “thank you”
- Giving assistance
- Polite excuse making
- Movement control
- Walking along a line
- Pouring of jugs of water
- Moving items using tongs or a spoon
- Opening and uncapping boxes, bottles or jars
Age Group EPL Activities in Montessori
Toddler (1.5 -3 years)
- Transferring dry beans from one vessel to another
- Washing of hands with help
- Learning how to dress up with easy buttons or zippers
- Moving carefully, keeping objects using one point to another
Preschool ( 3 -6 years)
- Folding of cloths or napkins
- Clean up
- Cutting soft fruits
- Buttering bread
- Serving snacks
- Table etiquette practice
- Stepping on a walkway around rugs
Primary (6 -9 years)
- Organising and cooking basic foods
- Watering and caring of plants
- Conducting more elaborate cleaning activities
- Teaching young children through grace and courtesy
- Cleaning the furniture or acting alone on the shoes
However, the more children get advanced, the more they can embrace EPL activities that get tougher but linked, as they easily integrate into the actual world responsibilities.
The Importance of EPL Activities in Montessori Teaching
These activities help children in relating learning to their environments. These activities involve sensorial exploration, language development and problem-solving, on which academic and personal growth is based.
Read our blog in detail about Montessori Education to better comprehend the larger value and application of this method.
And, in case you would like to become an excellent Montessori educator, consider our Montessori Education Teacher Training Program and start.
FAQs
What does EPL mean in Montessori education?
EPL means Exercises of Practical Life. It is the intentional experiences that assist children to acquire practical skills in everyday life by acting and not just observing.
What are examples of EPL (Practical Life) activities in a Montessori classroom?
Pouring out water, buttoning clothes, sweeping, setting the table, greeting other people in a polite way, and folding napkins are examples of real-life tasks that are fitted to the development level of a child.
How do EPL activities support a child’s development?
They make children more independent, develop good motor skills, concentration, responsibility and social skills.
At what age should children begin Practical Life activities?
As young as 18 months old, children will already be able to start having an encounter with simple EPL activities, and the tasks will only escalate as they age.
How can I set up EPL activities in a small or home-based classroom?
You can set up EPL activities in a home based classrrom having pre-set trays with all the materials needed, have regular routines, and a structured, but at the same time, flexible environment.
Conclusion
EPL activities are not tasks anymore; they are much more significant lessons of life in the routine. At home, or in a classroom, the exercises offer the kids with the necessary resources to become independent, self-confident people. Children also learn through repetition, observation, and encouragement and in the process, can acquire the skills very well, besides attaining a solid sense of purpose and pride over their work.
Hence, if you have a passion for guiding children through this journey, then you can also take a professional training at the Ali Institute of Education.
Our Montessori teacher-training program enables aspiring teachers with the knowledge and skills to use EPL and other methods of Montessori-based teaching well.
Happy teaching!
