Montessori Practical Life Lessons - FAQ'S
You've got Questions - We have Answers!
Why is there 'pin poking' in the classroom? Isn't that considered 'busy work'?
I need to freshen up my Practical Life area ... where can I get some new ideas, and find supplies?
Why is there 'pin poking' in the classroom? Isn't that considered 'busy work'?
I need to freshen up my Practical Life area ... where can I get some new ideas, and find supplies?
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What is the point of Pin Poking?
To the average person it might look like Montessori pin poking is a mindless activity - but it's very far from mindless! Pin poking helps children develop their pincer grip, co-ordination, and concentration. A child must be able to sit and focus, be ready to handle a sharp object without hurting themselves or others, and show interest in the activity. Pin Poking can be used to create a variety of arts and crafts and extension lessons in culture (ie. geography maps).
It's helpful to offer young children (3-4yrs) the shapes for them to pin poke as they may not be ready to trace their own. Older children (5-6yrs - those who have the ability to carefully trace around shapes) can prepare their own shapes using the Montessori classroom materials: metal insets, geometry cabinet shapes, fraction pieces, puzzle maps, etc. Or, they can draw their own shapes freehand, pin poke them, glue them on a sheet of paper and create a beautiful picture.
A Point of Interest: if the child is gripping the pin poker to hard their hand will cramp and tire quickly. It's important for children to learn the pincer grip, but also to learn the correct amount of pressure required to pin poke for an extended period of time (concentration).
The Mind-Hand Connection
In order to prepare the hand for fluid and beautiful cursive writing (or printing), the mind-hand connection must be made repeatedly. Pin poking (along with cutting lessons) is an excellent activity to prepare the mind-hand connection.
Many schools use fancy pin poke
kits (along with a
heavy felt pad underneath) - these can be purchased at Montessori
Services. However,
you can simply use large push pins and place cork, a thick piece of
cardboard or a piece of carpet remnant underneath to protect the tables.back to the top
Freshen up your Practical Life area
Whether it's the change in season, or the fact that the children have lost interest in the materials, it's important to keep the Practical Life area fresh. Don't be afraid to add new P. Life lessons! You can gear them to the seasons, or towards a new-found interest by a child or the class. We've included a few ideas here that might help guide you to some new lessons. Take some time to read through the Blogs We Like - they are always packed full of ideas!
Over the years we've found the best place (most economical) to get Practical Life supplies are the 'dollar stores'. When the seasons change you can often get adorable trays and bowls to match themed lessons and/or your snack table. Of course, you can shop online at several Montessori suppliers such as Montessori Services.