“Children are born with a sense of wonder and an affinity for nature. Properly cultivated, these values can mature into ecological literacy and a lifelong love of science.”
— Rachel Carson, environmentalist and author of The Sense of Wonder
In our classroom, we’ve been nurturing a love for science by exploring the fascinating world of life cycles! We started by delving into the life cycle of a plant, and then fluttered into the life cycle of a butterfly. I’m excited to share how you can bring this same sense of discovery and learning into your home!
From Tiny Seed to Mighty Plant
We began our journey by planting the seeds of knowledge about how plants grow. We learned that a seed holds the very beginning of a new plant. To help these seeds grow, we discussed what they need: food, water, and sun. We even connected this to ourselves! Just like we need nutritious food like fruits and vegetables, and water and milk to help us grow, seeds rely on soil (for nutrients), water, and sunlight. We observed that the more sun and water a seed receives, the more it grows.
As we watched our own seeds, we used math terms like “first,” “second,” and “third” to describe the stages of growth. We learned that the seed first grows into a seedling, then a sprout, and finally into a mature plant.
Fluttering into Science: The Butterfly Life Cycle
With our understanding of plant life cycles as a foundation, we were ready to explore another amazing transformation: the life cycle of a butterfly! It was incredible to witness the children transform into little scientists, full of curiosity and wonder as they observed each stage unfold.
Just like we did with plants, let’s start by tapping into what your little one already knows about butterflies. Ask them: “What do you know about butterflies? What do you think happens as they grow?” Their initial ideas are a wonderful starting point!
We also reinforced the concept of a cycle – something that repeats. We learned that, like a plant, a butterfly goes through its own repeating journey of life. To get our minds buzzing with ideas, we created a simple “web” of thoughts around butterflies. You can do this at home too! Grab a piece of paper and write “Butterflies” in the middle. Then, ask your child to brainstorm words and ideas that come to mind when they think of butterflies.
Storytime is always a magical way to introduce new concepts. We enjoyed two wonderful books during our two-week butterfly exploration:
- “Waiting for Wings” by Lois Ehlert: This beautifully illustrated book gently introduces the four stages of the butterfly life cycle. During the first week, we focused on the concept of waiting. We talked about how sometimes waiting can be hard for us. We discussed how we wait for our own safety, and how we wait to keep others safe too. It’s about giving everyone a chance, and then, it becomes our turn. It’s all about being acknowledged! As we followed the sequence of events in the book, we also practiced our ordinal numbers: first, second, third, and so on, connecting it back to the stages of a plant’s growth.
- “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” by Eric Carle: This classic book visually and engagingly shows the transformation from a tiny egg to a beautiful butterfly through the caterpillar’s very hungry journey. It’s a fantastic way for young children to grasp the changes a butterfly undergoes.
The highlight of our project during the second week was receiving our real butterfly kit from Insect Lore! The children became true scientists, observing each cycle in real time. They asked so many insightful questions, and together, we answered some of them through observation and discussion. You can replicate this sense of wonder at home by:
- Observing Nature: Look for butterflies in your garden or local park. Talk about what they are doing.
- Planting a Butterfly Garden: Consider planting flowers that attract butterflies, like milkweed, lavender, and zinnias.
- Watching Videos: There are many age-appropriate videos online that show the butterfly life cycle in action. Check Youtube– Preschool Butterfly Life Cycle.
Remember those pictures we shared on our “What’s Happening in Our Classroom” page and on Instagram? Take a look! You can see how engaged the children were as they observed each stage of the butterfly’s life. Perhaps one of those photos will inspire an activity you can try at home.
Bringing the butterfly life cycle to life at home is a wonderful way to foster your child’s curiosity about the natural world and reinforce important scientific concepts in a fun and engaging way.
We’d love to hear your thoughts and experiences! Please leave your feedback for this article or the blog on our feedback page. And don’t forget to check out the “Happenings in Our Classroom” section for more pictures and videos of our exciting butterfly release!
