From Science to Role Play

Dear Monkey Class Families,

And just like that, we find ourselves at the end of another week! The children are growing in confidence every day and are really happy and settled. It's truly wonderful to witness their excitement and engagement in our various learning activities. This week has been packed with creativity, exploration, and social interactions that have contributed to their development. I'm excited to share some highlights of our week in the K1 Monkey Class!

Engaging in Creative Activities

In our K1 Monkey Class, we've been engaging in a variety of exciting learning activities focused on developing essential skills. The children have been cutting and sticking, using different mark-making tools, and exploring stencils to create diverse lines and shapes.

Understanding Our Daily Routine

This week, we introduced the children to our daily routine and schedule. We began discussing the days of the week and the unique activities we do on each day. For instance, Mondays are "Chinese Day," Wednesdays are "Playground Day," and Thursdays are our visit to the Library. This helps the children understand the structure of the week while building their vocabulary.

Self-Regulation & Energy Levels

To help manage our energy levels, we've started practicing breathing exercises after the excitement of outdoor play. Some days, we need to move our bodies more, so we dance to high-energy songs like "5 Little Monkeys" before transitioning to one of our new favourites, 'Silly to Calm'. Recognising that each day brings different energy levels allows us to tailor our activities accordingly, helping prepare for our end-of-day jobs and story time. 

Library Time

Our first class visit to the Library was a delightful experience! Many children enjoyed browsing for specific stories, while others explored until they found a book that caught their interest. It was heartwarming to see them sit down and 'read' their chosen books independently or with friends.

Exploring the World of Science

In addition to literacy, we've begun exploring the world of science through simple experiments. This week, our experiment was inspired by the children's curiosity about droplets on the classroom windows, even when it wasn’t raining. During circle time, we filled a glass jar with warm water, placed a plate on top, and added ice to cool the surroundings. The children observed droplets forming on the jar and noticed that the plate was also wet. Some were particularly fascinated by the different temperatures, while others shared observations, such as how the hot water rose.

Later in the week, the children had the opportunity to explore independently with warm water, ice, and various tools and containers. They were curious about where the ice went as it melted, and some attempted to replicate the earlier experiment.

Role Play and Social Skills Development

Additionally, the children have been enjoying food and baby toy role play, which has been instrumental in fostering social communication, turn-taking, and teamwork. This playful interaction encourages them to express their ideas and negotiate roles, enhancing their social skills. Next week, we will continue this exploration as our entire Monkey Class transforms into a house during open play, complete with a kitchen, laundry room, and babies to care for. We’re excited to see how this imaginative play will further develop their collaboration and communication skills.

Our recent learning experiences in Monkey Class have been engaging and educational, fostering curiosity and creativity among the children. We look forward to continuing this exploration as the year progresses!

Google Photos

If you haven't followed our class albums as yet, click on the links below to see the children in action. Be sure to go through the photos with your child to learn more about their school life and adventures.

Monkey AM Class    |     Monkey PM Class

Additionally, I have added new songs to our Monkey Class Spotify Playlist . Click here to enjoy the music at home.

Have a lovely weekend ahead and I can't wait to see what adventures and exploration await next week. Until next time, take care!


Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Monkey Class Rocks! (And Rolls into Summer!)

Term 3 begins!

Making Art Happen: Artwork in Progress!