One of the ways in which children strive for independence is by trying to help clean and maintain the environment around them. In the Montessori classroom, these skills are learned in the Practical Life area.
How to Use a Carpet Sweeper
Ideally, the classroom has both carpeting and hard floors. Activities should be designated an appropriate work area to facilitate floor clean-up if necessary. Children are then taught how to properly use tools to clean up their spills.
Manual carpet sweepers are usually used on the carpet. Some classrooms allow a small dustbuster. Emphasis is placed on standing in one place, moving the sweeper back and forth fast enough to actually pick up the debris. Children often learn through trial and error that a broom and dustpan are not as effective.
How to Use a Broom and Dustpan
The child is instructed in how to properly hold the broom and to pull the debris toward him into a pile. A taped square on the floor gives the child a visual field to aim for when sweeping crumbs. Further dustpan practice can come with tray sweeping. In this activity, children practice sweeping small items into a small square on a contained tray.
How to Scrub Tables and Chairs
A favorite cleaning activity is scrubbing tables and chairs. Children lay out a large towel or rug. They can bring over a small table or chair, or set up right next to a larger table. They require a large bin for rinse water, a bar of soap, a scrub brush, a sponge, and a towel.
The child fills the bin with a large pitcher of water. He dips the scrub brush into the water, then rubs it across the soap. Then, watch the joy and concentration on his face as he scrubs the table or chair clean! When the table or chair is clean, he can then use the sponge to rinse and wipe off the soap, wiping top-to-bottom and left-to-right. After drying the table or chair with a towel, he puts it away, then cleans up his work area.
How to Dust Shelves
With all of those little bodies moving around, dust build-up is inevitable in the classroom. Children can choose from a duster or a dusting cloth to use on the shelves. Light dusting can be done in and around the works on the shelf. But for a thorough cleaning, items should be removed from the shelf and placed on a rug. Children can use a solution made of one part white vinegar and one part water to clean without damaging wood. Then all items should be returned to their proper place.
How to Wash Windows
Children can wash windows and mirrors in the classroom by using a white vinegar and water mixture in a squirt bottle. One spray is usually adequate to cover the cleaning area. The child can then use a squeegee to clean the window top-to-bottom and left-to-right, wiping the squeegee after each swipe. A paper towel or absorbent cloth can be used to finish polishing the glass. Provide a step stool if the window or mirror are too high.
These tasks should be made available to children to use at any time throughout the day. Volunteers can be requested at group time, or a job chart can also be created to ensure that each job is done on a daily basis.
Children are proud of their abilities to help clean the classroom. They can frequently be observed engaged in sweeping, scrubbing, and dusting activities in the classroom. These activities, as part of the practical life curriculum, continue to contribute to the child's sense of independence, order, concentration, coordination, and control.
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