Meaning: All the way to the other side of something.
Example: “Please sit around the rug.”
Say it in real-life moments (mealtimes, bath, getting dressed, play). Point to what’s happening, then use the word in a short sentence. Repeat it often and ask your child to repeat it too.
Can you use the word ‘around’ to describe what is happening?
Words appearing in Word of the Week have been chosen to support the DfE (Department for Education) emphasis on skills and vocabulary required for children from birth to age 5. These skills and goals are set out in the Early Years Foundation Stage Framework (EYFS), which is designed for early childhood learning.
This Five Little Monkeys finger puppet book is a lovely example of a preschool-friendly book that combines counting, rhyme, repetition, and play. The soft puppet in the middle makes it especially engaging for young children, because it gives them something to look at, touch, and follow as you read together.
Why this book is good for numeracy
At first glance, this looks like a fun novelty book. But books like this are actually very useful for helping young children build early maths understanding.
With a story or rhyme based around five little monkeys, children begin to hear and notice:
counting in order
the idea that numbers relate to quantity
one less each time
repetition and pattern in number songs
early number language such as one, two, three, four, five
This matters because early numeracy is not just about recognising written numbers. It is also about hearing number words again and again, joining in, and beginning to understand what those words mean.
Why finger puppet books work so well
The puppet element helps hold a child’s attention and makes story time feel playful rather than formal.
You can use the puppet to:
count the monkeys together
point to monkeys on the page
encourage your child to join in with repeated lines
act out the rhyme
pause and ask, “How many monkeys are left?”
That little bit of movement can make a big difference, especially for younger preschoolers who are still learning to sit, watch, listen, and join in.
Great for school readiness
Books like this support more than just counting.
They also help children practise:
listening and attention
turn-taking
joining in with familiar words
noticing pattern and sequence
building confidence with early number language
These are all useful foundations for Reception, where children are expected to listen to stories, join in with rhymes, and begin exploring number in practical ways.
A good reminder: learning does not have to be expensive
One of the best things about little books like this is that they do not need to cost much.
This is exactly the sort of item parents can often pick up at boot fairs for about 20p, which makes it a brilliant low-cost find for home learning. Sometimes the best resources are not the newest or most expensive ones. They are the simple, well-loved books that children want to read again and again.
Easy ways to use this book at home
You do not need to “teach” with it. Just keep it playful.
Try:
counting the monkeys on each page
holding up fingers as you read
asking, “How many now?”
saying the number words slowly together
using the puppet to “jump” as you tell the rhyme
Even two minutes of this kind of shared reading can help build familiarity with number language.
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Say it in real-life moments (mealtimes, bath, getting dressed, play). Point to what’s happening, then use the word in a short sentence. Repeat it often and ask your child to repeat it too.
TLDR: Before Reception, the three things worth practising at home are going to the toilet independently, getting dressed and undressed, and choosing water over squash or fizzy drinks — all simple, all free. Little and often is the key: five minutes of practice in the morning routine now saves a lot of stress come September.
How to Prepare Your Child for Reception: Personal Care
One of the quiet superpowers of early childhood is learning to do things for yourself. Children who can manage their own basic needs arrive at Reception feeling capable — and that confidence matters from day one.
You may already have laid good groundwork. Hanging up a coat, recognising their name on a peg, following a daily routine — all of that is brilliant preparation. Keep going.
What does the EYFS actually say?
The Early Years Foundation Stage framework names three specific self-care skills that children are expected to reach by the end of Reception year (around age five). That means the year before school is your runway, not a deadline — it’s the ideal time to build these habits at home, without the pressure.
“Never help a child with a task at which he feels he can succeed.”
Maria Montessori
As Maria Montessori put it: “Never help a child with a task at which he feels he can succeed.” It’s harder than it sounds — but it’s one of the most powerful things you can do.
The three skills are:
1. Toileting independently Going to the toilet, wiping, flushing, and washing hands — all without prompting. This is the big one. If your child is not yet wiping independently, make it a gentle focus now. Narrate the steps, practice together, and praise effort rather than perfection.
🎬 CBeebies can help here: the Hey Duggee Potty Training Song and The Toilet Song are both fun, short videos that walk children through the steps — including handwashing at the end. Find them at bbc.co.uk/cbeebies.
2. Dressing and undressing In Reception, children change for PE, manage coats at playtime, and sort themselves after toilet trips. Doing up buttons and zips takes practice — so build it into your morning routine. Give them time, even when you’re in a hurry (just not when you’re in a hurry). Resist the urge to step in too quickly.
3. Understanding healthy food choices This is about making healthy options the default at home — and the good news is that they’re often the most affordable ones too. Fruit, vegetables, water, and plain crackers are typically cheaper than confectionary and fizzy drinks. It’s worth knowing that most schools do not allow squash or fizzy drinks in packed lunches, and they aren’t provided at lunchtime either. Starting these habits now means no surprises — and no battles — on day one.
