The children in preschool were excited to have some caterpillars to care for. When they arrived, they were really tiny!
They ate all the food in the bottom of the pot and the children watched them as they crawled up to the lid, hung upside down and began to form chrysalises. They then transferred them carefully to the net.
The children peeled and squished a tangerine and mixed sugar and water together to put in shallow dishes for the when the butterflies emerged. It was fascinating to watch them open their wings and, because of the mesh on the net, the children were able to see the butterflies closely from all angles.
They noticed that a red liquid came out of the chrysalises which they were a bit worried about, but we researched that together and found out that it’s a pigment called meconium which is from the colour on their wings.
One of our parents told us the difference between chrysalis and cocoons, so we all learned lots of new information!
Visit to Pia’s house