Exercises of Practical Life - Table of Contents

The Exercises of Practical Life lead a child through many facets of his daily life, prepare him for future work in every area of the children's house (casa), and build up independence. For more on the benefits of the exercises of practical life, see this Montessori Nugget.

This is the AMI core list for primary. It should be adapted for local customs and cultures; around age 4, the children can receive presentations on the practical life of other cultures.

Elementary children, middle school and older will receive a different form of practical life, but this list can set the stage for what to expect. Non-exhaustive ideas for the older child below.

PRIMARY: 

Preliminary Exercises

General Overview

How to Carry a Working Mat

How to Place a Pitcher

How to Carry a Tray

How to Roll a Working Mat

How to Put Down a Chair

How to Sit On a Chair at a Table

How to Fold Napkins

How to Pour Grain

How to Pour Water

How to Fold a Dust-cloth to Put Away

How to Fold a Dust-cloth to Dust

Care of Self

How to Wash Hands

How to Polish Shoes

Snap Frame

Hook and Eye Frame

Button Frame

Buckle Frame

Zipper Frame

Bow Frame

Lacing Frame – V Pattern

Lacing Frame – X Pattern

Lacing Frame – Linear Pattern

Safety Pin Frame

Care of the Environment

How to Dust a Table

How to Use a Dustpan and Brush

How to Sweep

How to Wipe Up a Spill

How to Dust Leaves

How to Polish Glass

How to Care for Plants

How to Polish Wood

How to Polish Metal

How to Wash a Table

How to Wash Cloths

How to Iron

How to Arrange Flowers

How to Make Lemon Water

How to Wash Fruits and Vegetables

How to Peel & Cut Fruits and Vegetables

How to Bake

Grace and Courtesy

Introduction to Grace and Courtesy

How to Walk Around A Mat

How to Introduce Yourself

How to Apologize

How to Observe

How to Draw Attention

How to Accept a Compliment

How to Blow Your Nose

Own Grace and Courtesy

Control of Movement

Introduction to Walking on the Line

Walking on the Line

Introduction to the Silence Activity

The Silence Activity

Visual Art

Introduction to Visual Art

Rubbings (Exploration of Texture)

Cutting - Snipping

Cutting - Lines

Advanced Cutting

Contour Drawing with Crayon (Exploration of Line)

Drawing with Colored Pencils

Cutting and Gluing (Exploration of Space)

Painting (Exploration of Color)

Sculpting (Exploration of Form)

Beginning Sewing

Sewing a Button

Advanced Sewing – Running Stitch

Sewing a Pillow (Student’s Own Presentation)

Elementary and Beyond: 

PRIMARY SET UP FOR POLISHING

There is no concise list. Elementary children will receive presentations based on home chores; classroom chores; what they need for Goings Out. And the process continues from there into adolescence which may include Grace and Courtesy on handling emotional situations and physical changes with grace.

Elementary practical life is also a bit more "real-life" without all the individual trays. The children can handle having a supply shelf with a stack of trays which they choose to collect their needed materials. 

Some ideas: 

ELEMENTARY SUPPLY SHELF
This particular one has drawers that slide out. 

answering the phone

taking and giving messages

leaving messages

interviewing

map reading

asking for directions

public safety

utilizing public buildings

basic car maintenance 

snow and leaf removal

preparing and serving meals

how to strike a match
how to light a candle
(in primary you could add "how to snuff a candle")

Feel free to add more in comments below!