The primary children raised swallowtail and painted lady butterflies/caterpillars this summer! They watched the tiny caterpillars eat SO MUCH, grow very fast, make their chrysalis, finally hatch, and then fly off into the garden. Their experience ignited interest in insects and other small creatures we find around the school, such as toads, frogs, salamanders, and arachnids. The children had many butterfly-related activities in the classroom as they learned the lifecycle of these amazing insects. The children’s inspiration showed up in their art, writing, and conversations!
Exploring the natural world is an important part of the Montessori curriculum. The children enjoy observing the amazing changes in the world around them. Often these projects just arrive when a child finds a caterpillar in their garden! Or a child asks to bring in a tank of tadpoles. The children often find praying mantises and walking sticks in our outdoor courtyard. There is so much to discover in our world! Bringing some of these amazing seasonal experiences inside supports their sense of wonder and their love of the environment around them. Raising butterflies also offers opportunities to develop patience, gentleness, responsibility, and the ability to let go. The children feel the simultaneous joy and sadness of letting the butterflies out into the world where anything can happen.