“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:
Essential in practicing the small muscles in the hand. Practiced by younger children to develop skills essential in feeding.
Spooning Rice
Materials:
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:
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:
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:
To strengthen the small muscles of the hands. Develop shape recognition as well.
Roller Painting
Materials:
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:
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:
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:
Develop hand-eye coordination, and in hand manipulation (allow using of one hand to manipulate object).
Clamping using Pegs
Materials:
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 enhances hand-dominance, pre-handwriting/handwriting skills, and improving pincer grasp in a fun and exciting manner. Associating colors.
Sponge Painting
Materials:
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:
Develop creativity, artistic skills and hand-eye coordination.
Gluing
Materials:
Develop creativity, hand-eye coordination, control of hands, pincer grasp and ability to strengthen hands through squeezing.
Glitter Glue
Materials:
Develop creativity, hand-eye coordination, control of hands, pincer grasp and ability to strengthen hands through squeezing.
Using a Fork
Materials:
Practice picking up “objects” using fork. Essential in feeding. This also develops hand strength with a pinching activity.
Transferring using a Chopstick
Materials:
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:
Enhances hand-dominance, pre-handwriting/handwriting skills,pincer grasp, hand control and concentration.
Transferring Glass Beads using Jumbo Tweezer
Materials:
Enhances hand-dominance, pre-handwriting/handwriting skills,pincer grasp, hand control and concentration.
Transferring Glass Beads using Tweezer
Materials:
Enhances hand-dominance, pre-handwriting/handwriting skills,pincer grasp, hand control and concentration.
Sticking
Material:
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).
These animal figures were from 
