At our preschool, we believe learning should be hands-on, full of wonder, and closely connected to the natural world. This month, our children had the incredible opportunity to witness one of nature’s most magical transformations—watching tiny caterpillars grow into beautiful butterflies!
It all began when we received a special delivery: a small container filled with wriggly little caterpillars. The children were full of questions and curiosity—“What do they eat?” “How big will they get?” “Will we get to see their wings?” Each day, we observed and cared for our tiny guests, watching them munch on leaves and grow bigger and bigger.
Soon, the caterpillars made their way to the top of their enclosure and formed their chrysalises. The room buzzed with excitement (and lots of whispering—“Shhh, they’re sleeping now!”). Over the next week or so, we kept a close eye on the chrysalises, patiently waiting for the next stage of their journey.
Then—magic! One morning, the children arrived to find delicate butterflies flapping their new wings, ready to meet the world. The looks of awe and joy on the children’s faces were unforgettable. We read “the hungry caterpillar” book, danced along to the song, and took part in various caterpillar related activities.
The most heartwarming part of this experience came on the day we released our butterflies into the preschool garden. With gentle hands and excited voices, we said goodbye to our fluttering friends. The children waved as the butterflies took off into the sky, finding flowers, sunshine, and freedom.
This experience helped our little learners connect science with empathy, curiosity with care, and nature with nurture. It’s not every day that you get to watch a miracle unfold right before your eyes—but in our preschool, that’s exactly what happened.
We can’t wait for our next nature adventure!
St Helen's Pre-School 