BUTTERFLY PUPPET AND BITES

There is a story about children that is similar to butterflies.  If you find a chrysalis before it hatches and you gently try to open it, the butterfly will not live and it will never be able to spread its wings and fly.  Children are like that as well.  If we try to push them and force them to do things before they are ready, will they ever be able to reach their full potential and truly fly?

Butterflies

Let’s go to sleep                     (Wiggle fingers.)

The little caterpillars said

As they all curled up              (Cross fingers as if praying.)

In a chrysalis bed.

They will awaken by and by  (Slowly open fingers.)

And each one will be             (Clasp thumbs and wiggle fingers like wings.)

A pretty butterfly!

Butterfly Puppet

This is a project that will take a little effort, but it is something that children will remember forever.  Ask children to bring an old sock from home for this puppet.  First, let them decorate the outside of the sock to look like a caterpillar.  They can use markers, pompoms, etc.  Next, prepare a butterfly using a coffee filter.  Children fold the coffee filter into eighths.  Using an eye drop, have them drop colored water onto the coffee filter.  Open and dry.  Scrunch up in the middle and fasten on a pipe cleaner for the body and antenna.  Turn the sock inside out and pin the butterfly inside.  Children can begin the song about the butterfly by inserting their hand into the sock.  For the “chrysalis,” have them begin turning the sock inside out.  As the butterfly emerges, they stick their hand in the sock to reveal the butterfly.

 

Butterfly Bites

Children will enjoy assembling and eating this butterfly.  You will need celery cut in 4” pieces, cream cheese, and pretzel twists.   First, spread cream cheese in the hollow part of the celery.  Insert two pretzels on either side for wings.

Hint!  Make a language experience chart with the directions so children can make these at a center.

Smoosh Painting
Cut butterfly shapes out of newsprint.  Fold in half.  Let children drop paint with a spoon or eye dropper on one half.  Fold and rub.  Open to view your butterfly.

Drama

Let children act out the life cycle of a butterfly.  First, they lay on the floor in a ball.  Next, they crawl around like caterpillars.  Can they spin around and make a chrysalis?  Finally, they can spread their wings and FLY!