It has been a busy two weeks! The Cheeky Monkeys had an exciting Rolli Polli class, practicing their jumping, climbing, running, and hopping skills to boost their gross motor development. Before the break, they joined the Brilliant Pandas for a trip to Doma Farm, where they picked apples, and enjoyed petting and feeding the donkeys. In mathematics, they have been diving into early addition, number bonds, and early subtraction with fun, interactive games in the classroom. So much learning and laughter!

Cheeky Monkeys loved mimicking rain and wind sounds with rhythm sticks and scarves! Through movement and sound, they are building essential motor skills, coordination, and confidence. Each raindrop tap and swish of the wind boosts their physical development and imagination.

Our Cheeky Monkeys are getting into Halloween too! They had a blast painting webs and spiders using water-resistant techniques. Spooky fun with watercolours!

Our Cheeky Monkeys took their first steps into the world of chess! They learned all about the pieces—their names, moves, and unique characteristics—through interactive games and memorable rhymes that brought the board to life.

The Cheeky Monkeys have been exploring the world of primary colours and learning how to mix them to create secondary colours! In a recent art lesson, they used basic shapes and vibrant primary colours to paint their pictures. This creative activity sparked their imagination and helped them develop their drawing and painting skills. What a fun way to learn about colour!
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In the Cheeky Monkeys class, the children learned the fundamental aspects of chess, including the names and features of each piece, as well as the layout of the ranks and files on the chessboard. Through engaging games and chess rhymes, they began to build their understanding of the game. A highlight of the session was the musical chess game, where students actively participated by walking in a circle, eagerly watching for a chess piece to be raised so they could sit and participate. This interactive approach kept everyone involved and excited throughout the lesson, making learning chess both fun and educational.

We have had a busy fortnight in the Cheeky Monkeys while preparing for the Harvest Assembly. First, the children prepared a class decoration outside using leaves and natural materials for printing. Next, the children prepared their apple and pumpkin designs for our class display using paint and paper plates. For World Habitat Day, the children made a habitat for their toy animals in the playground and then discussed the common needs of every animal. In Mathematics, the children learn the language of addition and subtraction and practice applying their knowledge by counting objects and calculating a total.

When learning to sing in tune, each child processes the experience uniquely. Our lessons are thoughtfully designed to cater to kinesthetic, auditory, and visual learners, ensuring each child can engage with the material through their preferred learning style. Whether listening to two pitches being sung, singing the pitches themselves, associating the pitches with a familiar song, or using hand movements to mirror the pitch changes, these activities are excellent examples of how a single lesson can meet diverse learning needs.
For the Cheeky Monkeys, success through their dominant learning style boosts their confidence, strengthening and accelerating the learning process. Engaging multiple senses creates a richer and more inclusive learning experience that supports each child’s musical development and overall growth.

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The Cheeky Monkeys enjoyed a chess lesson that introduced them to the game’s basics through the enchanting story of the “Chess Palace.” As they played games and learned rhymes, they became familiar with the names and features of the chess pieces, creating a playful atmosphere for learning.

The Cheeky Monkeys started their academic year with enthusiasm, creating self-portraits and collaborating on tribe-related projects. They shared their favourite summer memories and learned art room routines. Their directed drawing lessons focused on monkeys, and they celebrated International Dot Day by crafting vibrant dot and pattern artwork.

We have had a busy beginning settling into our new class and new year in the Cheeky Monkeys. The children were introduced to the new Unit of Inquiry entitled ‘Who we are’ and took to the playground to observe the effect of exercise upon the body and the inner organs like the heart and lungs. In Mathematics, the children recapped counting backwards and forwards to twenty and beyond, and are beginning to develop their adding skills.

In our classes, we structure activities to allow the Cheeky Monkeys to absorb information through multiple senses, a method we refer to as multisensory learning. This approach is an incredibly effective teaching tool, as it encourages robust and lasting learning while catering to the diverse learning styles of the children in our group. By engaging various senses, the children participate in activities that involve listening, processing information, labelling concepts, and incorporating movement. Utilising multiple senses offers a wide range of opportunities to reinforce the learning experience, making it more memorable and deeply embedded in the child’s understanding.