Albert Joosten wrote this article in 1968, and it is still the most comprehensive article on practical life to date. He develops his thesis beginning with "daily activities" leading to "developmental and creative activities." At the same time, Mr. Joosten establishes the psychological backdrop for the practical life exercises as he continues to describe the physical dynamics with an implicit demand for perfection. He definitively presents the indirect aims of the practical life exercise and looks at the coordination of movement, the integration of personality, emotional enrichment, the strengthening of the will, and the social relations that flourish while doing practical life with other children and the adult. [Copyright © 1968 Indian Montessori Training courses under the auspices of Association Montessori Internationale. NAMTA would like to express its gratitude to the Maria Montessori Archives held at AMI for making this lecture available.]