Adolescent Practical Life

by Cheryl Allen, The Montessori Foundation

Practical Life may not be found on a shelf at the adolescent level, yet it is as important as it is at any other level. On a typical afternoon at the NewGate School (Sarasota, FL), adolescents are found playing team games, including setting up, decisions about game versions to play, game rules, and cleaning up. Some are cooking recipes from the 1920s, since they are studying that time period in class, cleaning up, and then sharing with classmates. Others are reading, conversing, drawing, or learning to make friendship bracelets. At the end of the day, they will all help organize the school to be ready for the next school day. Other days, they may tend to the garden, paint rocks for decoration, clean the outdoor areas, or walk a visiting dog. As the students notice, Practical Life prepares them for the future, helps them to become independent, and helps them learn to be patient with themselves and their classmates.

“We learn to be more independent.” – Varun*

“If you see that your teammate messes up, you have to be patient with them, because they will learn, and you will play with them again.” – Luca*

“Different people have different strengths and weaknesses.” – Brogan*

*Secondary Practical Life student comments

“It teaches you how to cook for later in life.” – Ethan*

“Learning together and learning different techniques are fun when cooking, and it is super fun to get to eat the final product.” – Lucia*