With the goal of forming impressions and developing reliable lifelong habits, the Practical Life curriculum centers on learning to use careful movements for routine activities. Children practice pouring, folding, scooping, squeezing, basting, tong transfer tweezing, sorting, pairing, personal care, care of environment, and food preparation.

"The child is much more spiritually elevated than is usually supposed. He often suffers, not from too much work, but from work that is unworthy of him."