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.  Practiced by younger children to develop skills essential in feeding.

Spooning Rice

Materials:

• bowls
• rice
• tablespoon

Essential in practicing the small muscles in the hand. Practiced 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. For Developing motor skills as well.

Latches

Materials:

• Melissa & Doug Latches Wooden Activity Board
• Melissa & Doug Locks and Latches Board Wooden Educational Toy

To develop the skills in opening and closing different kinds of latches. For hand-eye coordination, concentration and motor skills.

Wooden Puzzles for Toddlers

Materials:

• Melissa & Doug Farm Wooden Chunky Puzzle (8 pcs)
• Melissa & Doug Farm Animals Jumbo Knob Wooden 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

Materials:

• SiCoHome Paper Punches,Pack of 3,Heart,Circle,Star
• Paper Punch Hole Puncher -- (3 PACK Circle Maple Leaf Retro Flower)

To strengthen the small muscles of the hands. Develop shape recognition as well.

Roller Painting

Materials:

• paint rollers (Rimobul Artist Studio Sponge Painters - Set of 6)
• non-toxic washable paints (Crayola Kids' Paint Washable, Assorted Colors 6 Bottle,  Crayola 6 Count 8 oz. Washable Kids Finger-paints features 3 Bold Primary colors & 3 Bright Secondary colors)
• 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

Materials:

• 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 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 Primary Lacing Beads with 30 Beads and 2 laces
• Melissa & Doug Deluxe Wooden Lacing Beads with 27 Beads and 2 Laces

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 (Melissa & Doug Take-Along Tool Kit Wooden Construction Toy, Jumbo Nuts and Bolts Set with Backpack by Skoolzy)

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

Materials:

• chopsticks (Training chopsticks for kids, adults, and beginners)
• sorting tray (Learning Resources Sorting Muffin Pans)
• counters (Bug Counters Set of 72)

Chopsticks enhances hand-dominance, pre-handwriting/handwriting skills, and improving pincer grasp in a fun and exciting manner.  Associating colors.

Sponge Painting

Materials:

• sponge
• non-toxic paint (Crayola Kids' Paint Washable, Assorted Colors 6 Bottle)

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

Materials:

• paint brushes (Crayola Paint Brush Set)
• non-toxic paint (Crayola 6 Count 8 oz. Washable Kids Finger-paints features 3 Bold Primary colors & 3 Bright Secondary colors)

Develop creativity, artistic skills and hand-eye coordination.

Gluing

Materials:

• papers
• different glue types (Elmer's Disappearing Purple School Glue, Elmer's Liquid School Glue Washable)

Develop creativity, hand-eye coordination, control of hands, pincer grasp and ability to strengthen hands through squeezing.

Glitter Glue

Materials:

• glitter glues (Elmer's Liquid Glitter Glue Washable)
• paper with lines

Develop creativity, hand-eye coordination, control of hands, pincer grasp and ability to strengthen hands through squeezing.

Using a Fork

Materials:

• 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

Materials:

• chopsticks (Training chopsticks for kids, adults, and beginners)
• sorting tray (Learning Resources Sorting Muffin Pans)
• pompoms (Creativity Street Bright Hues Pom Poms)

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:

• pom poms (Creativity Street Bright Hues Pom Poms)
• tweezers (Learning Resources Helping Hands Fine Motor Tool Set)

Enhances hand-dominance, pre-handwriting/handwriting skills,pincer grasp, hand control and concentration.

Transferring Glass Beads using Jumbo Tweezer

Materials:

• jumbo tweezers
• glass/crystal beads

Enhances hand-dominance, pre-handwriting/handwriting skills,pincer grasp, hand control and concentration.

Transferring Glass Beads using Tweezer

Materials:

• tweezers (Learning Resources Helping Hands Fine Motor Tool Set)
• glass/crystal beads

Enhances hand-dominance, pre-handwriting/handwriting skills,pincer grasp, hand control and concentration.

Sticking

Material:

• assorted stickers
• paper

Skills developed in sticking activities:  fine motor skills, sorting skills and creativity.  Develop motor skills and concentration as well.

If you are looking for more ideas you might want to check the Ultimate Collection of Practical Life Activities (Part Two).