Butterfly

LESSON 4

Children will explore butterflies through a nature walk, engaging in observation, recording, and drawing activities.

All materials are optional for this lesson:

  • Butterfly net

  • Butterfly cage

  • Camera

  • Nature Journal

  • Magnifying Glass

Materials

  • Gather materials for lesson.

  • Plan a field trip to a local butterfly biosphere, or a nature walk to look for butterflies.

Preparations

  • Promote curiosity and interest in butterflies

  • Promote scientific thinking and questioning in children

  • Model and support child in counting

  • Observe fine and gross motor skills in child

Objectives for Teachers

  • Children strengthen their knowledge about butterflies

  • Children practice observation skills

  • Children practice counting

  • Children practice fine motor skills through drawing, coloring, cutting, gluing, or molding.

Objectives for Children

Collect and Connect

  • Create actions for the “Caterpillar Song” and practice saying it together.

Caterpillar Song

I started as a tiny egg,

Upon a leaf of green.

And now I stay upon the leaf,

So, I will not be seen.

Soon I’ll build a chrysalis,

Upon a limb up high.

I’ll stay there for a little while,

And then come out and be a butterfly.

Activity Flow

1. Start by asking your child if they know what happens to a caterpillar after it becomes a chrysalis. Remind them of the ending of "The Very Hungry Caterpillar" and the butterfly-to-caterpillar activity from the last lesson.

2. Tell your child that you will be going on a butterfly hunt today. If you have gathered extra materials for the nature walk or field trip, share those with your child now to help excite and engage them in the activity. 

  • Count how many butterflies you see, and keep track.

  • Allow your child to take pictures of the butterflies.

  • Bring a nature journal or paper to draw/color butterflies you see.

  • If you choose to go on a nature walk, take a butterfly net and cage along with you, then try to catch a butterfly and take a closer look. Encourage your child to share what they observe.

  • Bring a magnifying glass for a closer observation of butterflies.

3. Ideas for field trip/nature walk:

4. Most importantly, enjoy your time together. None of these activities should feel stressful or necessary, especially if your child is younger and not interested or feels too scared to hold or catch a butterfly. Take it at their pace and be patient.

Research suggests that there is a strong correlation between a parent’s interest in the world and a child’s curiosity and interest in learning. When parents model curiosity and engagement with their surroundings, children are more likely to develop a similar interest in exploring and learning about the world.

Additionally, when parent’s express warmth and affection towards their children, it can promote positive social-emotional development, which can also contribute to a child's overall eagerness to learn.