The Montessori Practical Life sequence

Practical Life runs 12 published lessons here, from Hand Washing at 15 months to 3.5 years to Metal Polishing at 3.5 to 6 years. They're listed in the order a child meets them, each linked to its full page. We add lessons as each one is written and checked against Montessori's own books, so the list will grow.

By Owen WrenLast updated October 6, 2026

Start with Hand Washing, which needs nothing before it. If you aren't sure your child is ready for Practical Life, two minutes of questions place your child on the sequence.

Practical Life lessons in the order a child meets them

Practical Life lessons in order
#	Lesson	Age	Before this
1	Hand WashingHand-Washing StationTo wash and dry the hands independently, from filling the basin to hanging up the towel. Leads to Table Scrubbing and Banana Slicing (First Food Preparation) and Touch Boards (Rough and Smooth Boards).	15 months to 3.5 years	Can come first
2	Dry Pouring Between Two PitchersSmall Pouring Pitchers, Work TrayTo pour a dry material from one pitcher to another without spilling. Leads to Button Dressing Frame and Wet Pouring Between Two Pitchers and Sweeping with a Brush and Dustpan and Land and Water Forms.	18 months to 3.5 years	Can come first
3	Spooning: Transferring with a SpoonSpooning SetTo move a dry material from one bowl to another with a spoon without spilling.	18 months to 3.5 years	Can come first
4	Wet Pouring Between Two PitchersSmall Pouring Pitchers, Work TrayTo pour water from one pitcher to another without spilling, and to wipe up any drops. Leads to Table Scrubbing and Flower Arranging and Caring for Plants and Sink and Float.	2 to 4 years	Dry Pouring Between Two Pitchers
5	Grace and Courtesy LessonsTo give the child the exact words and movements for one everyday social situation.	2 to 6 years	Can come first
6	Button Dressing FrameButton Dressing FrameTo unbutton and button large buttons independently.	2.5 to 4.5 years	Dry Pouring Between Two Pitchers
7	Sweeping with a Brush and DustpanChild-Sized Sweeping SetTo sweep loose things into a pile and into a dustpan, and to leave the floor clean.	2.5 to 5 years	Dry Pouring Between Two Pitchers
8	Folding ClothsFolding ClothsTo fold a cloth neatly along a line, matching corner to corner.	2.5 to 5 years	Can come first
9	Banana Slicing (First Food Preparation)Child's Food Preparation ToolsTo peel and slice a banana safely and serve it.	2.5 to 5 years	Hand Washing
10	Table ScrubbingTable Scrubbing SetTo wash a table clean with soap and water, working through every step in order. Leads to Metal Polishing.	3 to 5.5 years	Wet Pouring Between Two Pitchers, Hand Washing
11	Flower ArrangingFlower Arranging SetTo arrange a flower in a vase and place it to make the room beautiful.	3 to 5.5 years	Wet Pouring Between Two Pitchers
12	Metal PolishingMetal Polishing SetTo clean and polish a metal object until it shines.	3.5 to 6 years	Table Scrubbing

How the Practical Life lessons depend on each other

Prerequisite map of the Practical Life lessons published so far. Each arrow runs from a lesson to the one that needs it first. Drawn from the lesson data, so it changes when a lesson is added.

Practical Life is one strand of the shelf. To see what sits beside hand washing at the same age across all five areas, go to Montessori activities for 12 to 18 months, or answer six questions for a first shelf of your own.