Butterflies are one of the most beautiful insects in the world. There are many different kinds of butterflies. What can children learn from these amazing species? Today we will talk about some books and activities you can do with your children at home.
Books:
From Caterpillar to Butterfly by Deborah Heiligman. Each day the children in the classroom watch in amazement as the caterpillar eats and grows, and eventually goes through the entire metamorphosis. It is a great book for children to learn about butterflies' life cycle. At the end of the book, the author also put a list of butterflies we can find around our neighborhood.
The Amazing Life Cycle of Butterflies by Kay Barnham. We introduced this book back in April when we talked about life and death. This is a beautiful book depicting butterflies’ life cycles. In addition, the book introduced the concept of predators. Children will learn caterpillars’ survival skills. Parents can also discuss predators and prey with children after the reading.
Monarch Butterfly by Gail Gibbons. Just as the title says, this book talks about everything about Monarch Butterflies. Children will learn monarch butterflies’ life cycle, body parts, food, and living style. At the end of the book, it also provides tips on raising monarch butterflies. This book introduced the concept of migration. When reading with children, parents can talk about migration.
Painted Lady Butterflies by Martha E. H. Rustad. The painted lady butterfly is one of more than 20,000 butterfly species. Each species has its own color patterns and features. The painted lady butterfly lives in more areas of the world than any other butterfly. This book talks about the life cycle of the painted lady butterfly.
The Wonder of Butterflies by Amy Bauman and E. Jaediker Norsgaard. In addition to the concept of life cycle, body parts, migration, and predators, this book also introduces various types of butterflies. Parents can help children create a chart about different kinds of butterflies regarding size, pattern, or food.
How to Hide a Butterfly Other Insects by Ruth Heller. This book talks about camouflage. We know it’s not easy for wild creatures to survive in the wild world. They have to equip themselves with some skills to live a longer life.
Activity:
Finger play
Fuzzy Wuzzy Caterpillar
Fuzzy Wuzzy Caterpillar, creeping creeping, creeping,
(creep your fingers along your arm)
Spins himself a blanket, now he’s sleeping, sleeping, sleeping.
(wrap your arms around your body, and pretend to sleep)
Fuzzy Wuzzy Caterpillar, wakes up by and by,
(stretch your arms and make a big yawn)
Spreads his lovely wings, he’s a butterfly!
(flap your arms as if they are wings)
2. Dramatic play
Let your children depict the butterfly life cycle. Children act out the butterfly life cycle from egg, to caterpillar, to chrysalis, and at last to a butterfly.
3. Observation
Get a Butterfly Growing Kit to observe butterflies’ life cycle, habitat, food, physical characteristics, structure and function of body parts. In addition, children can measure the sizes of caterpillars through the molting stage. We encourage parents to make an observation journal about butterflies with their children.
4. Art project
Use a coffee filter and some markers to make a butterfly. Children will have the chance to learn symmetry.
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