Ultimate Collection of Practical Life Activities (Part One)

“Practical life or real work activities, along with the development of language, may well be the most important work in the first six years of life.  By means of these activities the child learns to make intelligent choices, to become physically and mentally independent and responsible.  He learns to concentrate, to control muscles, to act with care, to focus, to analyse logical steps, and complete a cycle of activity.  This lays the groundwork for sound mental and physical work throughout life.” – Susan Mayclin Stephenson, CHILD OF THE WORLD

	Scooping Pasta Materials: - bowls - pasta - spoon Essential in practicing the small muscles in the hand.  Practised by younger children to develop skills essential in feeding.
	Spooning Rice Materials: - bowls - rice - tablespoon Essential in practicing the small muscles in the hand.  Practised by younger children to develop skills essential in feeding.  This can be a little bit tricky for smaller children as rice grains are much smaller than the pasta.
	Whisking Materials: - bowl - whisk - something to whisk (liquid or powder) Essential in practicing the hand  and arm muscles.  Developing motor skills as well.
	Latches Material: - latch board (Melissa & Doug) To develop the skills in opening and closing different kinds of latches.  For hand - eye coordination, concentration and motor skills.
	Puzzles Material: - without handle  (Farm Jumbo Puzzle) Recognition of farm animals, able to match them to the board, develop problem solving skills and enhance memory . Develop hand -eye coordination, dexterity and concentration.
	Shape Punching Material: - shape puncher To strengthen the small muscles of the hands.  Develop shape recognition as well.
	Roller Painting Material: - paint rollers - non-toxic washable paints - painting paper Develop fine motor skills,  encourages the child to use his arms, hands, wrist and pincer grasp to paint on a paper or easel.
	Sharpening Pencils Material: - pencils - handheld pencil sharpener To develop in-hand manipulation skills.  This is the ability to move objects using one hand.
	Spooning water Materials: - bowls - liquid medium - spoon Develop hand-eye coordination and concentration when transferring water from one bowl to another.  Essential skill in feeding and food serving.
	Garlic Press Materials: - garlic press - garlic (or foam) Enhance the skill of grasping objects of various sizes and hardness.  To improve thumb stability, which is essential in holding things, ting and drawing.
	Paper Clips Materials: - paper clips - bundles of paper Another simple and feasible activity that allows kids to develop their pincer grasp and concentration.
	Lacing Materials (Melissa & Doug): - beads of any sizes - strings To develop the skills of using both hands in a controlled and organized manner.  Having a good bilateral coordination will allow both side of the brain to work.
	Nuts and Bolts Materials: - nuts and bolts Develop hand-eye coordination, and in hand manipulation (allow using of one hand to manipulate object).
	Clamping using Pegs Materials: - clothespin - bowl/s Practice pincer grasp, a skill that is essential in feeding, pick up small objects, writing, drawing, scissors and more.
	Color Sorting using Chopstick Material: - chopsticks - sorting tray - counters Chopsticks enhances hand-dominance, pre-handwriting/handwriting skills, and improving pincer grasp in a fun and exciting manner.  Associating colours.
	Sponge Painting Material: - sponge - non-toxic paint Develop fine motor skills,  encourages the child to use his arms, hands, wrist and pincer grasp to paint on a paper or easel.  Color recognition.
	Painting using Brushes Material: - paint brushes - non-toxic paint Develop creativity, artistic skills and hand-eye coordination.
	Gluing Material: - papers - different glue types Develop creativity, hand-eye coordination, control of hands, pincer grasp and ability to strengthen hands through squeezing.
	Glitter Glue Material: - glitter glues - paper with lines Develop creativity, hand-eye coordination, control of hands, pincer grasp and ability to strengthen hands through squeezing.
	Using a Fork Material: - fork - package foams Practice picking up “objects” using fork. Essential in feeding.  This also develops hand strength with a pinching activity.
	Transferring using a Chopstick Material: - chopsticks - sorting tray - pompoms Chopsticks enhances hand-dominance, pre-handwriting/handwriting skills, and improving pincer grasp in a fun and exciting manner.  Associating colours.
	Transferring using a Tweezer Materials: - pompoms - tweezers (Learning Resources) Enhances hand-dominance, pre-handwriting/handwriting skills,pincer grasp, hand control and concentration.
	Transferring Glass Beads using Jumbo Tweezer Materials: - jumbo tweezers - glass beads Enhances hand-dominance, pre-handwriting/handwriting skills,pincer grasp, hand control and concentration.
	Transferring Glass Beads using Tweezer Materials: - tweezers - glass beads Enhances hand-dominance, pre-handwriting/handwriting skills,pincer grasp, hand control and concentration.
	Sticking Materials: - stickers - paper Skills developed in sticking activities:  fine motor skills, sorting skills and creativity.  Develop motor skills and concentration as well.

Another set will be posted soon!