Montessori Preschool Practical Life: Transferring Activities Are Flexible and Fun!

Transferring is a staple activity in the Montessori preschool/kindergarten classroom. Students develop their fine motor skills, focus, and concentration while transferring small objects from one bowl or small container to another. Transferring activities can be set up in multiples so that young Montessori students may work on similar activities simultaneously, and can match the seasons or your students’ interests (see our article about customizing Practical Life activities An Interest In Practical Life). Transferring activities can be adapted and rotated as the needs of your students and your environment change.

Montessori Preschool Practical Life: Transferring Activities are Flexible and Fun!

First, gather your materials. Egg cups, miniature flower vases, small wooden bowls, ramekins, and other small containers are all available from dollar stores, thrift stores, and antique stores. Be sure to go through your kitchen cabinets and closets around your home for an interesting variety of containers and items to transfer. Let your friends and family know that you are looking for these things. Finally, remember to check your Montessori classroom and school storage for items you may have inherited from a former teacher. (Ice cube trays and egg trays can also be fun!)

As far as the items your students will be transferring into the containers listed above, the sky is the limit. Pom-poms, beads, acorns, small pinecones, beans, marbles, and any small glass, wooden, metal or fabric items are just a few of the numerous items that your Montessori preschool students can transfer from one container to another.

The transfer apparatus can be ice cube tongs, other small tongs, tweezers, or chop sticks. I usually check the kitchen and cooking sections wherever I am shopping. You can also set up spoon and finger transfer works as other options in the Practical Life area of your Montessori classroom. Finally, small trays, preferably made of natural material such as wood, bamboo, or woven material, can hold the transferring supplies.

Practical Life transferring works allow for the incorporation of items from your childhood, your travels or your students’ families and their experiences. These items allow for a level of authenticity in your Montessori environment and materials that will appeal to your Montessori students. Discussions about the items can also lead to some wonderful storytelling opportunities.

Related NAMC blogs:

• Montessori Practical Life Activities for Sensory Processing Disorder
• The Importance of Pouring Water: Montessori Preschool Practical Life Activities

As much as possible, NAMC’s web blog reflects the Montessori curriculum as provided in its teacher training programs. We realize and respect that Montessori schools are unique and may vary their schedules and offerings in accordance with the needs of their individual communities. We hope that our readers will find our articles useful and inspiring as a contribution to the global Montessori community.
© North American Montessori Center - originally posted in its entirety at Montessori Teacher Training on Tuesday, February 22, 2011.