Releasing our Butterflies
This term, our EYFS children have enjoyed an exciting hands-on learning experience as they observed the life cycle of butterflies.
In Week 1 of Term 5, we welcomed five tiny caterpillars into our classroom. The children were fascinated as they watched them grow bigger each day, making careful observations and discussing the changes they could see. This sparked lots of curiosity and questions about how living things grow and change.
By Week 3, our caterpillars had formed chrysalises. The children carefully helped to transfer them into the butterfly net and then waited patiently as they continued to observe the changes taking place. They noticed the colours of the chrysalises changing and eagerly predicted what might happen next, demonstrating the Characteristics of Effective Learning through active learning and creating and thinking critically.
Excitement filled the classroom when the first two butterflies emerged on Wednesday, followed by two more on Thursday and the final butterfly on Friday. The children helped to care for them by providing fruit and sugar water and enjoyed watching them fly around the net as their wings strengthened.
On Friday afternoon, before the Colour Run, we had a very special opportunity to hold the butterflies before releasing them into our school garden. We waved goodbye as they soared high into the sky, marking the end of an incredible learning journey.
Throughout this experience, the children developed their understanding of the natural world, supporting the Early Learning Goal for Understanding the World. They also strengthened their Communication and Language skills by sharing observations, asking questions and discussing the changes they noticed. The project encouraged children to show care and responsibility for living things, supporting their Personal, Social and Emotional Development.
We are so proud of the enthusiasm, curiosity and patience the children showed throughout this project. Releasing our butterflies was a magical moment and a wonderful way to celebrate all the learning that had taken place.
EYFS - Butterflies
