These are exercises of daily life for the preservation of the environment such as dusting, sweeping, laying a table, and care of self- leading to coordination of the psycho-muscular system and resulting in the gradual development of character since they require patience, focusing of attention and help the child become a contributing person in the community. (Boehnlein, Montessori, Maria)

“Reconstructive work…which is not the product of a ‘mental effort’ but tends to the co-ordination of the psycho-muscular organisms. Such are the activities which are not directed to the production of objects, but to their preservation as for instance, dusting, or washing a little table, sweeping the floor, laying the table…are exercises of practical life.” (Montessori, Maria, The Advanced Montessori Method, Volume I, p. 113) “…to carry out a real task with a practical goal to be obtained…are tasks which not only require increasing skills but also a gradual development of character because of the patience necessary for their execution and the sense of responsibility for their successful accomplishment…are ‘exercises in practical life.’ Because the children lead a practical life and do ordinary housework with a devotion and accuracy that becomes remarkably calm and dignified.” (Montessori, Maria, The Discovery of the Child, p. 63)