“We don’t inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children.” – Native American Proverb
Children’s interests in bugs and insects assists to help children value and appreciate nature. Through our learning experiences this week our Caterpillars continue developing important motor skills and developing the confidence and competence to complete the task at hand. Exploring through nature is giving the children the opportunity to acquire and refine their fine motor muscle development, their hand eye coordination skills which can be seen throughout the project where children are using tongs in their bug sensory space and exploring leaves with the tongs during their indoor experiences.
This week our caterpillars continued exploring Bugs and Insects and natural ecological systems. Our little learners began the week creating their very own bug hotel using materials they had sourced from their garden (8/8). The children worked on the task together to create a bug hotel using sustainable resources which enabled the children to mimic exploring a bug’s habitat. Our Caterpillars were also provided with the opportunity building their sensory exploration exploring insects through play dough (9/8). Children were able to observe prints made by various insects. Our little learners utilised their outdoor environment going on their very own bug exploration mission in their outdoor space looking for bugs.
The caterpillars also explored a fun and simple activity where children had the opportunity to use their fine motor skills to explore different bugs and insects and learning the letter B to classify and match the different bugs and colours (10/8). Children had the opportunity to learn through small group play exploring the bottle lids, bugs and tongs where they continued exploring different bugs.
The caterpillars also learnt about bugs through the 'Very Hungry Caterpillar' story (11/8). Through this story not only did children learn about foods but the life cycle of a caterpillar into a butterfly. The children compared how the caterpillar eats different foods like bugs and insects also do.
To conclude a wonderful week of bug exploration the children continued exploring bugs in their sensory garden. To further extend children's learning the caterpillars went on a scavenger hunt in their garden looking for real life bugs in their outdoor environment. The caterpillars used magnifying glasses on their adventure journey in the playground looking for bugs. The children found a butterfly and were curious learners wanting to learn more about the butterfly they found in the playground (12/8).
What the caterpillars have learnt this week:
* Through discovery and exploration our little learners had the opportunity to develop their knowledge of insects and bugs.
* Our Caterpillars continued developing their fine motor skills practising their grip skills using the tongs during their bug exploration activity.
* Through providing children with the opportunity to explore bugs they notice many STEM concepts which further encourages children to use their thinking skills for example, why does a bug look like this?
* Through our environments and learning experiences our caterpillars are being given the opportunity to learn scientific concepts, a growing appreciation of nature and to be more adventurous learning all about the various insects and bugs in our natural environment.
Next week (week beginning 15th August) the Caterpillars will continue:
* Continue exploring the different habitats where insects and bugs may live through our very own world of bugs in their spaghetti land.
* Educators will also add insect cards into the environment for children to continue their exploration and observing various types of bugs.
Links to Early Years Learning Framework:
4.1 Children develop dispositions for learning such as curiosity, cooperation, confidence, creativity, commitment, enthusiasm, persistence, imagination and reflexivity.
4.2 Children develop a range of skills and processes such as problem solving, inquiry, experimentation, hypothesising, researching and investigating
Links to National Quality Standards:
1.1.2 - Each child’s current knowledge, strengths, ideas, culture, abilities and interests are the foundation of the program.
1.3.3 - Families are informed about the program and their child's progress.
Further reading and links for families:
Article: 5 reasons you should let your kids play with bugs
Article: Want to teach kids about Nature. Insects can help.
Insects and Bugs for Toddlers Activities
Educational Bugs activities for Toddlers
Comments