We had lots of fun learning about bugs in August. These are the creepy- crawlies that we covered.
Ladybug
The ladybug is my toddlers’ favourite, probably because the tiny creature is too cute to resist.
We made 2 versions of the ladybug paper plate craft, and the tots thoroughly enjoyed the process.
We used the entire paper plate for the first craft, and I drew a tight line to segregate the head from the body. It was easy enough for the tots to paint. Next, I cut a thick black strip of paper and a couple of black circles for the tots to stick onto the paper plate. Couple with some narrow pieces of paper and wiggly-eyes, they each completed a ladybug.
The other ladybug was done almost the same way. With a head cutout by the tots, we get a pretty ladybug from a different perspective.
Caterpillar and Butterfly
We are familiar with the caterpillar because our lime plant at home is a host plant suitable for adult butterflies to breed. We raised a couple of butterflies before. The kids and I observed the various stages of the butterfly metamorphosis and these were valuable experiences for them.
Egg tray caterpillar – an idea I got from a craft book borrowed from the library.
It is a must to follow up with the butterfly craft after making the caterpillar. After all, the books we read are often related to the life cycle of the butterfly.
It will be fabulous to visit the Butterfly Park in Sentosa or the Butterflies Up-Close in the Singapore Science Centre for the little ones to better appreciate the various stages of butterfly metamorphosis. We did not feel compelled to visit these centres because we had already experienced the transformation a couple of times. Nonetheless, it is probably one of my itineraries for our coming December school holidays.
Klook.comBees
The artwork below was inspired by Clare Beaton’s illustrations. I have lost count of the number of times we borrowed her nursery rhyme books that are packed with beautiful pictures.
The tots were involved in cutting out the tree trunk and its branch, while I handled the rest of the cutting. Pasting the small pieces into the paper was a test of their fine motor skills too.
We spent many hours painting and colouring bugs too. Got the bugs colouring book from the Popular Bookshop. You will find more selections from the Bras Basah outlet.
Grasshopper
Another insect that my little ones are familiar with since we have a small garden nearby and grasshoppers frequented our balcony. In fact, we managed to keep a couple as pets.
Ants
Erm, I realised the craftwork was a flop when the tots pointed out that we made spiders. But it is okay, I am thick-skinned enough to share it here.
Spider
One of the challenges I met with the bugs theme was how some of the creepy-crawlies frightened my little girls. The spider was one which my daughter disliked, and we had to choose a cute “Itsy Bitsy Spider” book over a factbook.
Anyway, since the “Itsy Bitsy Spider” was one of their favourite nursery rhymes, they still had lots of fun.
Check out this cute Itsy Bitsy Spider craft by simplykinder.com.
Great Finds on Bugs Books
These are some of the books we love while learning about the bugs:
Ah, I am full! * / written by Eun-sook Jo – A remarkable book on food chain started by the grasshopper eating the leaves of bellflower. The illustrations alone had helped explained the concept of the food chain to the toddlers.
Becoming a grasshopper / by Grace Hansen – on the life cycle of the grasshopper.
The itsy bitsy spider */ illustrations by Maddie Frost – First of all, I must mention that this is a very sturdy book and will most probably survive the chews and tears by our little terrors. We love the cute little bugs all around the books and the traditional nursery rhyme that teaches perseverance.
Counting with a ladybug / written by James Mitchem and Dawn Sirett
Clare Beaton’s garden rhymes* – A charming book full of beautiful rhymes and rhymes that have inspired many of our artworks.
Kate finds a caterpillar: a book about the life cycle of a butterfly
I see ants / by Genevieve Nilsen – I love the clarity and simplicity of the writing that helps my tots understand the ant better. And I borrowed the entire series to introduce various bugs to the tots.
The very hungry caterpillar* / by Carle, Eric – One of the most-read children’s book in the world on a tiny caterpillar that munches through its way to become a beautiful butterfly.
Videos
Sid the Science Kid – The Bug Club and 2 other science explorations
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