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At Monkey Minds we unlock your child’s potential and empower you become the
confident and playful parent you always wanted to be.

Email: info@monkeyminds.com.au

Call Jenna: 0438 098 918

Classes based in
Safety Beach
Mornington Peninsula

Check out our latest blog posts here

Free School Readiness Checklist

Enter your name and email address so I can send you my comprehensive SCHOOL READINESS CHECKLIST plus 8 things you can IMPLEMENT right now to see BIG changes in your child's development!

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Today’s TOP TIP ☝️ is all about threading⁣⁣
⁣⁣
💡 TOP TIP TUESDAY 💡 ⁣⁣
⁣⁣
👌Did you know that threading beads uses and strengthens 💪 the same small hand muscles that children need in order to hold a pencil ✏️ and control the movement correctly? ⁣⁣
⁣⁣
👌There are lots of different materials you can use, but a great one to start with is some wooden dowel (can find some at a local $2 shop), stick it into a piece of play dough and use some bigger beads (also get from $2 shop) to thread onto the dowel.⁣⁣
⁣⁣
🎈Starting with bigger beads will lead to greater success, plus a greater sense of achievement for yo child which will ultimately build their confidence to keep trying with smaller beads/thread! ⁣⁣
⁣⁣
🥳 After they have well and truely mastered that skill, move on to threading on a pipecleaner. ⁣
⁣
💭Whilst you may think that this sounds much the same as using string, because you need to use both hands 👐, the fact that the pipecleaner is stiff makes it so much easier as the beads don’t slide off. ⁣
⁣
🌈 You then use different size beads, add some buttons too. ⁣⁣
⁣⁣
✨Thennnnnnn....move onto string and beads/jumbo buttons. But only then, otherwise your child will end up frustrated and give up. ⁣⁣
⁣⁣
👆Hit the flag up the top to save this one for ideas later!

Today’s TOP TIP ☝️ is all about threading⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ 💡 TOP TIP TUESDAY 💡 ⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ 👌Did you know that threading beads uses and strengthens 💪 the same small hand muscles that children need in order to hold a pencil ✏️ and control the movement correctly? ⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ 👌There are lots of different materials you can use, but a great one to start with is some wooden dowel (can find some at a local $2 shop), stick it into a piece of play dough and use some bigger beads (also get from $2 shop) to thread onto the dowel.⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ 🎈Starting with bigger beads will lead to greater success, plus a greater sense of achievement for yo child which will ultimately build their confidence to keep trying with smaller beads/thread! ⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ 🥳 After they have well and truely mastered that skill, move on to threading on a pipecleaner. ⁣ ⁣ 💭Whilst you may think that this sounds much the same as using string, because you need to use both hands 👐, the fact that the pipecleaner is stiff makes it so much easier as the beads don’t slide off. ⁣ ⁣ 🌈 You then use different size beads, add some buttons too. ⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ ✨Thennnnnnn....move onto string and beads/jumbo buttons. But only then, otherwise your child will end up frustrated and give up. ⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ 👆Hit the flag up the top to save this one for ideas later!

👩‍🏫 How is your child starting big school next year already? #stopgrowingupsofast⁣
⁣
🥳Want to ensure they (and you) feel ‘big school’ ready??⁣
⁣
😭I am so upset that I can't run my normal in person Pre-Kinder and School Readiness classes this term, and even as restrictions are starting to ease I can't run group classes for a while.⁣
⁣
🤩However, I can run private one on one tutoring sessions. These 60 minute sessions are designed to cater and support your child’s individual interests and different learning styles to ensure they child will run into school with the basic, yet fundamental skills they need to thrive and succeed.⁣
⁣
💯If you believe your child may benefit from additional assistance or may qualify for support via the NDIS, I can help.⁣
⁣
💁‍♀️I am also available to do Tutoring after school hours if your primary school aged child needs some additional support since returning to onsite learning.⁣
⁣
📲Contact me today, as I only have limited spots available.⁣
email jenna@monkeyminds.com.au or call me on 0438 098 918

👩‍🏫 How is your child starting big school next year already? #stopgrowingupsofast⁣ ⁣ 🥳Want to ensure they (and you) feel ‘big school’ ready??⁣ ⁣ 😭I am so upset that I can't run my normal in person Pre-Kinder and School Readiness classes this term, and even as restrictions are starting to ease I can't run group classes for a while.⁣ ⁣ 🤩However, I can run private one on one tutoring sessions. These 60 minute sessions are designed to cater and support your child’s individual interests and different learning styles to ensure they child will run into school with the basic, yet fundamental skills they need to thrive and succeed.⁣ ⁣ 💯If you believe your child may benefit from additional assistance or may qualify for support via the NDIS, I can help.⁣ ⁣ 💁‍♀️I am also available to do Tutoring after school hours if your primary school aged child needs some additional support since returning to onsite learning.⁣ ⁣ 📲Contact me today, as I only have limited spots available.⁣ email jenna@monkeyminds.com.au or call me on 0438 098 918

👆100% Accurate... who else is with me?💁‍♀️ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
#mumliferocks #mumlyfe #washingisneverending #mumhack #learningthroughplay#schoolreadiness #monkeymindsau #schoolreadinessprogram #mornpenbizchicks #mornpenmums #mornpenkids #mumsofmelbourne

👆100% Accurate... who else is with me?💁‍♀️ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #mumliferocks #mumlyfe #washingisneverending #mumhack #learningthroughplay#schoolreadiness #monkeymindsau #schoolreadinessprogram #mornpenbizchicks #mornpenmums #mornpenkids #mumsofmelbourne

🍎 Sound Bingo 🐻⁣
⁣
👆👆👆This game is by far the most played in our house atm! It’s perfect for so many ages and abilities, do you know why? ⁣
⁣
🌈Miss T (prep) - initial sounds (has mastered this but a fun way to reinforce each sound)⁣
⁣
🌈 Miss L (4yo) matching pictures but also working on identifying letters (upper and lower case)...whilst also learning the sounds because she’s listening to Miss T ⁣
(Hey mumma.../s/ ssssss for Sally the snake 🐍 ⁣
🎈💃🙌🥳🤩⁣
You should have seen the smile on her face 🥰! ⁣
⁣
PLUS ....Who doesn’t love a bit of competition? ⁣
🤭 I know Miss T does! ⁣
⁣
✨ But do you also know what it’s teaching then beyond the letters of the alphabet and the sounds they make..???⁣
⁣
🥳That it’s OKAY not to win⁣
🥳 That games aren’t always about winning or coming first ⁣
🥳 That it’s OKAY to see someone else win ⁣
🥳 That it makes US happy when we see someone else win and be proud of themselves⁣
🥳 That it’s about enjoying a game together and having FUN!! ⁣
⁣
👆👆This is how you make learning fun guys.⁣
⁣
Does your child have trouble when they don’t win all the time? ⁣
Drop a 💚 below if you let them win purposefully to avoid meltdowns/arguments ? ⁣
Or 💜 if you try to help them learn that it’s okay to loose? ⁣
⁣

🍎 Sound Bingo 🐻⁣ ⁣ 👆👆👆This game is by far the most played in our house atm! It’s perfect for so many ages and abilities, do you know why? ⁣ ⁣ 🌈Miss T (prep) - initial sounds (has mastered this but a fun way to reinforce each sound)⁣ ⁣ 🌈 Miss L (4yo) matching pictures but also working on identifying letters (upper and lower case)...whilst also learning the sounds because she’s listening to Miss T ⁣ (Hey mumma.../s/ ssssss for Sally the snake 🐍 ⁣ 🎈💃🙌🥳🤩⁣ You should have seen the smile on her face 🥰! ⁣ ⁣ PLUS ....Who doesn’t love a bit of competition? ⁣ 🤭 I know Miss T does! ⁣ ⁣ ✨ But do you also know what it’s teaching then beyond the letters of the alphabet and the sounds they make..???⁣ ⁣ 🥳That it’s OKAY not to win⁣ 🥳 That games aren’t always about winning or coming first ⁣ 🥳 That it’s OKAY to see someone else win ⁣ 🥳 That it makes US happy when we see someone else win and be proud of themselves⁣ 🥳 That it’s about enjoying a game together and having FUN!! ⁣ ⁣ 👆👆This is how you make learning fun guys.⁣ ⁣ Does your child have trouble when they don’t win all the time? ⁣ Drop a 💚 below if you let them win purposefully to avoid meltdowns/arguments ? ⁣ Or 💜 if you try to help them learn that it’s okay to loose? ⁣ ⁣

✏️ Pre-writing Skills ✏️ ⁣
⁣
👀 In my last post I shared my about the 9 pre-writing strokes, lines and shapes your child you child needs to develop and master before they can write legible letters (missed it, thats ok 👉👉swipe across to see my developmental guide.)⁣
⁣
💥 It's important to remember that writing doesn't just magically happen when you place a pencil in your child's hand, much like you can't throw your child into a swimming pool and expect them to know how to swim.⁣
⁣
💥 Please note, that this developmental chart is a GUIDE. Sometimes, these shapes are mastered in a different order. Sometimes they are mastered later, sometimes earlier.⁣
⁣
👌I have a fun pre-writing activity for you 👉👉swipe across to see an easy way to add a fine motor skill practise in too. Simply by using our pre-writing cards 〰️➿.⁣
⁣
🛒Did you know, you can purchase 2 different versions of our pre-writing cards on our website: ⁣
⁣
1️⃣ 12x prewriting cards ready to go that we will send you in the post 📮 (as seen in these pictures)⁣
2️⃣ 32x prewriting cards that you can print at home and laminate yourself 👌⁣
⁣
💥Our Pre-writing cards also come in our⁣
🛒Writing Bundle⁣
🛒Momentum pack⁣
⁣
👆Click the image above to check them out xx

✏️ Pre-writing Skills ✏️ ⁣ ⁣ 👀 In my last post I shared my about the 9 pre-writing strokes, lines and shapes your child you child needs to develop and master before they can write legible letters (missed it, thats ok 👉👉swipe across to see my developmental guide.)⁣ ⁣ 💥 It's important to remember that writing doesn't just magically happen when you place a pencil in your child's hand, much like you can't throw your child into a swimming pool and expect them to know how to swim.⁣ ⁣ 💥 Please note, that this developmental chart is a GUIDE. Sometimes, these shapes are mastered in a different order. Sometimes they are mastered later, sometimes earlier.⁣ ⁣ 👌I have a fun pre-writing activity for you 👉👉swipe across to see an easy way to add a fine motor skill practise in too. Simply by using our pre-writing cards 〰️➿.⁣ ⁣ 🛒Did you know, you can purchase 2 different versions of our pre-writing cards on our website: ⁣ ⁣ 1️⃣ 12x prewriting cards ready to go that we will send you in the post 📮 (as seen in these pictures)⁣ 2️⃣ 32x prewriting cards that you can print at home and laminate yourself 👌⁣ ⁣ 💥Our Pre-writing cards also come in our⁣ 🛒Writing Bundle⁣ 🛒Momentum pack⁣ ⁣ 👆Click the image above to check them out xx

🤔Did you know that your child needs to be able to draw these lines, strokes and shapes BEFORE they can learn to form letters and write correctly??⁣
⁣
🔡 It can be really tempting to rush ahead with early literacy skills but there are soooo many things that need to be accomplished and mastered first.⁣
⁣
We don't expect our babies to run before they can walk, so please don't expect your child to be able to write before they can master these 9 pre-writing shapes 👉👉swipe to see my handy developmental guide.⁣
⁣
👌In fact, before you even put a pencil in their hands, they need to be working on their fine motor skills and hand strength.⁣
⁣
🤩One mum said to me:⁣
'My son has improved so much since using your pack and his confidence to now hold a pencil properly is amazing. I had no idea he had to learn all those lines first. I'm so glad I took your advice and didn't force him to write before he was ready. You are a lifesaver.'⁣
⁣
Our Momentum pack is perfect for developing your child's writing skills and confidence, as it includes:⁣
⭐️Pre-writing cards (includes activity ideas)⁣
⭐️ Alphabet cards⁣
⭐️ eBook with 10+ ideas to help your child write the alphabet⁣
⭐️ Rainbow Rice (perfect for sensory writing)⁣
⭐️ Water Beads tool kit (fine motor tools which help develop your child's hand strength)⁣
⭐️ Save your Sanity eBook (25+ activities).⁣
⁣
🛒 If you want to support your child's confidence with writing, then grab your momentum pack today by clicking the image tag

🤔Did you know that your child needs to be able to draw these lines, strokes and shapes BEFORE they can learn to form letters and write correctly??⁣ ⁣ 🔡 It can be really tempting to rush ahead with early literacy skills but there are soooo many things that need to be accomplished and mastered first.⁣ ⁣ We don't expect our babies to run before they can walk, so please don't expect your child to be able to write before they can master these 9 pre-writing shapes 👉👉swipe to see my handy developmental guide.⁣ ⁣ 👌In fact, before you even put a pencil in their hands, they need to be working on their fine motor skills and hand strength.⁣ ⁣ 🤩One mum said to me:⁣ 'My son has improved so much since using your pack and his confidence to now hold a pencil properly is amazing. I had no idea he had to learn all those lines first. I'm so glad I took your advice and didn't force him to write before he was ready. You are a lifesaver.'⁣ ⁣ Our Momentum pack is perfect for developing your child's writing skills and confidence, as it includes:⁣ ⭐️Pre-writing cards (includes activity ideas)⁣ ⭐️ Alphabet cards⁣ ⭐️ eBook with 10+ ideas to help your child write the alphabet⁣ ⭐️ Rainbow Rice (perfect for sensory writing)⁣ ⭐️ Water Beads tool kit (fine motor tools which help develop your child's hand strength)⁣ ⭐️ Save your Sanity eBook (25+ activities).⁣ ⁣ 🛒 If you want to support your child's confidence with writing, then grab your momentum pack today by clicking the image tag

If your child starting school next year...this post is for you 👇👇👇👇👇⁣
⁣
💡 TOP TIP TUESDAY 💡⁣
⁣
🏫Today I wanted to share with you my absolute favourite picture story books to help prepare kids for starting school.⁣
⁣
📚I have broken these down into 2 main groups.⁣
⁣
1 - The first is just a general ‘Starting School’ selection and 2 - Are books that concentrate on developing social skills 🥰⁣
⁣
Swipe ➡️ to check these out!⁣
⁣
✋One important thing to remember is that it is not enough to simply read the book and then move on. It is the discussions you have and questions❓you ask before, during and after the story that will really help the most.⁣
⁣
An example of some things you might ask or discuss could be:⁣
✨ Can you see the kids in the playground? What are they doing? Do you think that looks fun? Maybe we should go and visit the playground at your new school⁣
⁣
✨ She seems like a nice teacher. What is she doing to help the kids? What do you think your teacher will be like?⁣
⁣
✨ Those kids are sitting at their tables doing an activity. What do you think they are doing? Why are they doing that? What other activities do you think they will do at school? Do you think you might do activities like this?⁣
⁣
✨ Can you see the girl sitting on her own? How do you think she is feeling? Why is she feeling that way? What do you think she could try doing (or what did she do) to help make some new friends?⁣
⁣
✨ That boy has hurt himself, what should he do? Who could he ask for help?⁣
⁣
✨ Why do you think that boy is nervous about going to school? How are you feeling about going to school?⁣
⁣
✨ Did you like that story? Why? Why not? (From this you can continue to discuss your child’s own feelings & experiences)⁣
⁣
✨ There are great pictures of kids at school in this story aren’t there? Maybe we could draw some pictures of you at school.⁣
⁣
🏷If you have any friends whose kids are starting school soon, make sure you tag them, so that they can use these ideas too.

If your child starting school next year...this post is for you 👇👇👇👇👇⁣ ⁣ 💡 TOP TIP TUESDAY 💡⁣ ⁣ 🏫Today I wanted to share with you my absolute favourite picture story books to help prepare kids for starting school.⁣ ⁣ 📚I have broken these down into 2 main groups.⁣ ⁣ 1 - The first is just a general ‘Starting School’ selection and 2 - Are books that concentrate on developing social skills 🥰⁣ ⁣ Swipe ➡️ to check these out!⁣ ⁣ ✋One important thing to remember is that it is not enough to simply read the book and then move on. It is the discussions you have and questions❓you ask before, during and after the story that will really help the most.⁣ ⁣ An example of some things you might ask or discuss could be:⁣ ✨ Can you see the kids in the playground? What are they doing? Do you think that looks fun? Maybe we should go and visit the playground at your new school⁣ ⁣ ✨ She seems like a nice teacher. What is she doing to help the kids? What do you think your teacher will be like?⁣ ⁣ ✨ Those kids are sitting at their tables doing an activity. What do you think they are doing? Why are they doing that? What other activities do you think they will do at school? Do you think you might do activities like this?⁣ ⁣ ✨ Can you see the girl sitting on her own? How do you think she is feeling? Why is she feeling that way? What do you think she could try doing (or what did she do) to help make some new friends?⁣ ⁣ ✨ That boy has hurt himself, what should he do? Who could he ask for help?⁣ ⁣ ✨ Why do you think that boy is nervous about going to school? How are you feeling about going to school?⁣ ⁣ ✨ Did you like that story? Why? Why not? (From this you can continue to discuss your child’s own feelings & experiences)⁣ ⁣ ✨ There are great pictures of kids at school in this story aren’t there? Maybe we could draw some pictures of you at school.⁣ ⁣ 🏷If you have any friends whose kids are starting school soon, make sure you tag them, so that they can use these ideas too.

🎈School is back #thirdtimelucky! ⁣
⁣
Such a beautiful welcome this morning! I hope your kiddies enjoyed their first day back and you enjoyed a ‘quieter house’! ⁣
So proud of you Miss T ✨🎈

🎈School is back #thirdtimelucky! ⁣ ⁣ Such a beautiful welcome this morning! I hope your kiddies enjoyed their first day back and you enjoyed a ‘quieter house’! ⁣ So proud of you Miss T ✨🎈

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