Exploring and Thinking with a Life Cycle theme is a fun and engaging way for young children to learn about the world around them! Many nature or outdoor themes may come from a child's own emerging interests from their time spent outside.
Children are naturally inquisitive and they like to know where things come from and how things happen! Educators may hear daily questions such as 'how does a tadpole turn into a frog?', 'how does a flower grow?' or 'how does a butterfly grow wings?'.
Educators can feed a child's natural curiosity by responding to these questions in the form of themed activities. The Life Cycle topic is a theme that children love. It gives them a chance to learn about the world around them.
This ties in with Aistear's idea of Exploring and Thinking. If the children in your class are curious about things related to the Life Cycle then you can allow them explore this theme in many ways. There are various life cycles that can be explored in the classroom - be it indoors or outdoors. This includes plants, flowers, fruit, bugs or insects.
Exploring and Thinking - Making a Real Life Connection
Any theme should begin by setting up the learning environment so that children can explore the topic. Providing books, stories, charts, pictures, videos, props, games, songs and rhymes for the children is a great start. If it is possible to make a real life connection to a theme the children will benefit greatly as they are seeing it first hand.
The children will engage directly as they watch the Life Cycle process happen in real time! If you are exploring caterpillars and butterflies as part of your theme, a Giant Butterfly Garden makes a great resource that allows children to experience the process of caterpillars becoming beautiful Painted Lady butterflies!
With a Giant Butterfly Garden you will receive all you require to raise your own caterpillars. The pack incudes a 45cm tall butterfly habitat with clear mesh (pop up), Painted Lady butterfly life cycle stages figurines, feeding pipette and full instructions. Furthermore, you will receive a voucher to redeem your group of 6-10 caterpillars when you are ready.
The kit can be stored away until ready to use again with only new caterpillars required to complete the cycle each time! If you have previously purchased a Butterfly Garden and only require a caterpillar voucher you can purchase vouchers here.
