Caterpillar and Butterfly Preschool Theme
With spring upon us, it’s always fun to start talking about bugs. One of the most interesting bugs, of course is the butterfly.
Circle Time
Start by asking what they know about butterflies, and read some fun facts from a library book about them. Show pictures of many different kinds and talk about where they live in the world. Talk about the life cycle of the butterfly and how it changes from a caterpillar. For some fun online facts and information visit www.kidsbutterfly.org
Creative movement
Play music and have them practice crawling like caterpillars, going to sleep in their cocoons, and emerging as butterflies with wings. Some fun songs about all kinds of animals including butterflies are on Janene Brady’s ‘I have a song for you’ CD. If you don’t have access to songs about bugs, simply put some classical music on and let them imagine being one.
Story Time
Table Time
Butterfly craft – Supplies needed: Coffee filters, markers, clothes pins, spray bottle with water, paper plate, pipe cleaners
Give each child a coffee filter and some washable markers, have them color the filters in whatever patterns they wish paying special attention to get the marker close to the edges, then spray each colored filter with water and watch the colors spread and bleed into each other. Set on a paper plate to dry. When dry, push into a clothes pin (either small or large) and twist a pipe cleaner around the top for the antennae
Egg Carton Caterpillar craft – Supplies needed: Egg cartons cut so there are six egg spaces in a row longwise, paint, paint brushes (foam work great!), paper plate google eyes, and pipe cleaners
Give each child a cut egg carton, paperplate with paint on it, and a brush. Have them paint their caterpillar and then set aside to dry. When dry cut two holes into “Head” of the caterpillar and feed the pipe cleaner through leaving enough on each side to be antennae. Glue on the google eyes and you’re done!
Snack time:
- get some of the items the very hungry caterpillar ate so the kids can taste and try them
- bugs fruit snacks
